Thoughts, news and sermons from our Clergy and Missions
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Growing Roots into the Soil of Grace - Lent 2 Year C : 28 February 2010
Jesus neither blames the victims nor tries to explain why. Jesus merely points to us, what about you? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did If you don’t repent you will suffer the same calamity. Jesus’ words are hardly words of comfort. They don’t make you want to burst into the old Sunday School hymn, Jesus loves me this I know.
Jesus invites us into a way of life, a repentance life. There is a call to live life bearing fruit. Psalm one has the image of the righteous person being like a tree planted beside a stream. It always bears fruit in season. Repentance is as much about being rooted and grounded in God’s holiness that we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit daily. -
The Wilderness Journey - Lent 1 year C : 21 February 2010
Recently I have had a couple of conversations about young people not completing apprenticeships or university degrees.
In previous generations there was much less choice, suffering, sacrifice and hard work were the paving stones of everyday life. Often your faith was honed on these stones. At our recent planning day people said one of the reasons they come to worship and continue to come is because of the people. We are blessed with many members of our Church who shine with grace and love. They have honed their spirituality on the stones of suffering, sacrifice and hard word work with the Holy Spirit’s grace bringing them through. -
Africa Air Aldom - 12 January 2010 : 18 January 2010
Greetings Friends,
It’s green and getting greener. Rain arrived on New Years Eve, and we have had it almost daily since. Within a week the hills that surround Windhoek have gone from brown and dust haze to gentle green with clear air. Makes everyone feel fresh and happy. And it makes the place cooler too. Most of the country is getting rain, especially in the north, which is normal. Thanks for prayin
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Baptism into a life of joyful austerity. - Advent 3 year c : 12 January 2010
The repentance that John the Baptist calls us to Paul describes as the crucifixion of our sinful nature. The fruit of repentance, that is the fruit of baptism is love joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
What does it mean to live a life of repentance in the 21st century?
I suspect John would say much the same, if you have two cars sell one and sponsor three children in need. Or eat less food at Christmas and share with those who don’t have enough all year. And what about us in developed nations we might ask. What must we do? John would probably say live simply, sustainable so that the earth regenerates and others may simple live.
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The Journey: Following the Star - Epipnany 2010 (The Rev. Jim Cosgrove) : 12 January 2010
Have you noticed in the Christmas readings – the Infancy Narratives – that there are lots of stories of journeys.
There is the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth, when Mary travels to the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth – two pregnant women, sharing their hopes and dreams, celebrating the promise of New Life…
Wherever we are on our journey, whatever journey we may be on, it is important to reflect on where we are, where we want to be, and how we get from where we are to where we want to be. -
The Gift - Christmas year C : 31 December 2009
I have tried to convey something that at one level is simple. Jesus is the gift. In Jesus we discover the love God has for us. It is a love that includes forgiveness and life. It is life that comes with Freedom and courage. Our response to all of this is to become like Jesus, loving, forgiving with a desire for others to have life in all its fullness.
While it is simple it seems to me we need to return to this simple message each year of our life to begin to plum the depths of who Jesus is. All of these things love forgiveness etc. take on new depths. What was simple seems to become more complicated, but then we rediscover a new simplicity. Jesus is the Gift. God loves you and me.
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Africa Air Aldom 15 December 2009 : 17 December 2009
Greetings Friends,
A blessed and joyous Christmas to you. May you celebrate Jesus’ coming with awe and thanksgiving.
Many of you receive my news monthly, so you can jump to page 2 if you wish, as this part is for those who just get annual news and recaps the year (if you wish to change from annual to monthly, or the other way, please let me know).
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Prepare the Way - Advent 2 (Year C) : 06 December 2009
How do we live out our lives so that we bear witness to Jesus? With families bringing children for baptism I like to give them five words by which to remember the Gospel: love; freedom; life; courage and forgiveness. When ever these things are evident in your life you are already bearing witness to the Holy Spirit in your life. Yes of course it is great if you can verbalize what it is that makes you loving, that gives you freedom and courage, why it is that you live life to the full and what makes you generous with forgiveness. But even without words if we live the Gospel it will impact on other peoples lives.
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Preparing for Christmas: apocalypse and joy Advent (Year C) : 29 November 2009
The advent, that is, the coming of Jesus ushers in a time of Judgement. It is the apocalypse. There has been a strong temptation among Christians to use this warning for fear mongering; To scare the hell out of people. You might well ask then how can this be good news. Does it tell us anything about a God of love?
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Africa Air Aldom 15 November 2009 : 16 November 2009
Greetings Friends,
I’M BACK IN NAMIBIA – PRAISE GOD. It’s very good to be back, and to be able to get on with my life and work of the present time. And unlike a year ago, this time I’m slotting back into what I know, so it’s not a matter of having to find my feet.