Colourful Dreamer

This book comes out of Ted Withams time as Minsiter Provincial for the Austrailan Province of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis. In describing it's origins he writes, "From Advent Sunday 2005 until the eve of Advent Sunday 2011 I had the privilege of being Provincial Minister for the Third Order, Society of St Francis for Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Asia. During that time, I travelled across Australia to meet tertiaries. My home Diocese of Perth also invited me to speak about St Francis and the spirituality of St Francis’s followers at the Weekends at Wollaston spirituality programme. My fellow-tertiaries in Western Australia also asked me to lead meetings and Quiet Days. The talks and seminars I presented have been adapted for this e-book. St Francis of Assisi was in love with God and a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. I pray that you will look beyond my words to the vision of St Francis and find fresh and provocative enc

Readings: Hebrew Scripture:     2 Samuel 11: 1-15 Psalm:                      14 Epistle:                       Ephesians 3: 14-21       Gospel:                      John 6: 1-21      What I want to say: Love is to be the basis our understanding who we are We are invited to open our eyes wide to the reality God’s generous love in our lives -           where do we see God’s abundant, generous love? -           where do we need to have our eyes opened? -           what does it mean to be planted in God’s love? What I want to happen: people to open eyes wide to the reality of God’s generous love in their inner most being, that they might built their sense of who they are on that on not on other things, like moral correctness, good enough, personal sense of authority etc…. The Sermon 1.      Introduction: sometimes I can get very depressed about the world huge things are happening – feel powerless to respond wonder, where is God in all this?    

Thoughts on the importance of Te Reo Maori from a Maori perspective. Thanks Michael Tamihere.

Thanks Hirini for this insightful and helpful reflection on this issue. It takes a perspective you do not often hear, and I am grateful.

Fighting for the right to not learn Maori? Shame on all of those involved in this story! This news story appalls me on several levels. First that John Campbell even gave it air time. This did not need to be on our airwaves, and especially not during Maori Language week. This story is about ratings and pandering to the red neck community. Secondly, Te Reo Maori is an official language of this country. It gives expression to the culture of the indigenous people, whose culture the rest of us are willing to trade off when it suits us, like doing hakas at sports events, using Maori design to highlight our uniqueness for trade expos, and for young kiwis overseas on their big OE. Te Reo Maori is part of who we are, and we should embrace it proudly and with enthusiasm. In other countries people learn the official languages without too much bother. But not here. Here we have mono cultural people of European descent (I am not even sure I would call these people pakeha -  a name I ap

Readings: Hebrew Scripture:          Micah 6: 6-8 Psalm:                           89: 20-37 Epistle:                         Ephesians 2: 11-22            Gospel:                           Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56        What I want to say: Anglican Social service is not just about the professional agencies that work under Anglican Care Involves each and every one of us motivation is not about helping others less fortunate outworking of love live in as followers Jesus involves us as individuals and as missional community Use Urban Vision to explore this What I want to happen: people to engage their neighbours out of love The Sermon 1.       Introduction: joke – what do you call a fake noodle an impasta This week social service Sunday Gifted by God: Inspired to serve what is that about? (gather responses) lets have a look at some readings today see what they might say to all this 2.       Gospel two weeks heard story of Jesu

Phew. This has been a big week. I had Monday off because that is what one is traditionally supposed to do if you are a vicar, and I was knackered!!!  A good day of sleeping, and a bit of gymning and taking the dog for a walk on the beach. Oh, and I watched some recorded TV. Awesome day. Tuesday: mid week communion service, then meeting someone for spiritual direction (I am a spiritual director). Time for more coffee at that point. But no, a young woman and her cousin came to check out the church for a wedding. So, now coffee and after a very yummy lunch of left over Indian curry I met with the wardens to organise our vestry planning day. And then for there to a meeting with a group to work on a replacement for our parish administrator. A really big day. Lucky, after sitting on an exercise cycle and reading for 40 minutes I went with the "family" pub quiz team to the pub, and came second. Wednesday: meeting someone for supervision (I also do ministry supervision). I th

  15 th Sunday in Ordinary Time 15 July 2012 Readings: Hebrew Scripture:              2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19 Psalm:                                     24 Epistle:                    Ephesians 1: 3-14                 Gospel:                 Mark 6: 14-29 What I want to say: remember and celebrate John explore the role he plays as link – last first Testament prophet explore story his death and  honour that ask, what does God invite us to in this story of John ?                 gave everything in response to God’s love                 bold and courageous                 perceptive – recognised Jesus as “the one”                 willing to get out of the way Recite the Benedictus ( Song of Zechariah ) in response What I want to happen: I want us to think about how we are John the Baptist in our time and place. The Sermon 1.       Introduction: Today remember and celebrate John the Baptist not his day: June 24 – or August 29 – B