Category: Uncategorized
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The Samaritan in our Census
(painting by Banksy) Last week the results of the 2021 census revealed many things about our Australian culture. Australia has increased by over 2 million people since the last census in 2016, mostly due to immigration. This means Australia is becoming more diverse with more people speaking different languages and practicing different cultures. The silent…
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A Triumphal Ecstasy
Take off your cloaklay it downon this groundamidst the silent slumber of rocks all aroundcolour threaded into colourweaving warmth and wonder togetherso that sun might kiss your skinso that you might begin againto singto vibrate withinawakeningthe sleeping rocks to joyous clamoringof ecstasy and complete surrenderto beauty and even terror.
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These Boxes
When I was a child I was given boxes to grow intolike sinewon bone so my identity might takesome sort of shapein the chaos of society’s landscape. And as I grew these boxes defined mereminding mewho I was resigned to be.This helped a little so I might know how to cross the streetso I might…
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Reclaiming the Reptilian
Sometimes the world feels like it is against me. I admit I contribute to this rivalry: intensifying the fight more than I might need to. But I can’t help it, or it feels like I can’t. Or I haven’t yet mastered the tools of disarming my reptilian brain. Like a wild animal, my hair stands…
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Blessed are They
It has been a shocking past few weeks for the marginalized in Australia. To hearing, again, how terribly Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins have been treated and unheard, how the health minister was spending time at a cricket game instead of taking control of the escalating deaths in aged care, the insulting $200 gesture to…
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A Blessing for Your Soul
Do not look for marching bandsmomentous musicor the magnificent gestures from multi-millionaires this Christmas. Come, O come and look right herein the monotony of this momentin the silent music of the soul. O holy is this placethe simple act of sitting stillseeing the soul expandAmongst the stranger walking bythe startling blue and grey and black…
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Become
(A Blessing for Blue Christmas) Not all things are brightand brilliantor ready to be birthedin the bustle of this season. The bulk of uswithin our bodiesbeneath this veilis the deep abyss of blueof beingburnedbruisedbut not broken. Believe beyond anything you didor those savage beasts have done to youdoes not define youNo.see how it refines youinto…
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Rest
All my life I have pushed myself to run faster, bike further, swim longer, hike higher. Maybe my body is catching up to me or maybe I am only just starting to hear her desire to walk, coast, float and rest. More and more my intentions for a run turns into a walk. It’s not…
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The Importance of being Inclusive
“All are welcome”. A statement I have heard too often from far too many churches. It gives a false sense of security. Is my whole body welcome here? Is my gender and sexuality welcome here? Is my theology welcome here? Would my atheist partner be welcome here? And as the service goes on, without fail,…
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A Dog-Shaped Hole
Melbourne is creeping towards a whole year of stage 5 lockdowns. Albeit, it hasn’t been a continuous year. Although part of me wonders if it would have been easier just to settle in for a year of not leaving our 5km radiuses, of only going to the grocery store, pharmacy or gas station (not that…
by Rev Alisha 