South Sydney Uniting Church

South Sydney Uniting Church is ecumenical (e.g. supporting the National and World Council of Churches) and inclusive,
affirming the gifts of people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations and identities. We seek peace with justice,
and the integrity of creation. We celebrate a service of Word and Sacrament (Eucharist) each Sunday at 10am.

56a Raglan Street
Waterloo NSW 2017
Phone/Fax: 02 9319 1373

Rev. Andrew Collis
Mobile: 0438 719 470

"We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land: the Gadigal people of the Eora nation."

South Sydney Uniting Church mourns the passing of
Alison (Ali) Blogg, partner to Dorothy and friend to us all.

Image: Coming to Life (2012) by Johnny Bell.

Loving God,
keep us faithful to the word of your Beloved.
Give us the Holy Spirit
to remind us of all Jesus has said to us
and done for us.
May this Holy Spirit protect us
from all fear and cowardice
and give us the courage to build up the Church
in peace and with patient love.
We ask this through Christ our Saviour.
Amen.

Homily
Easter 6, Year B
South Sydney Uniting Church
May 6, 2012

John 15:9–17

‘Love one another’

A “motherhood statement” is a broad, sweeping claim that non-one is likely to disagree with or about; a “feel-good” platitude without any specified plans for realisation. The sexist term is, of course, quite insulting to mothers everywhere well aware of real-life challenges their children face, well aware of real-life threats to their families. On behalf of our mums, let’s avoid “feel-good” platitudes, today of all days, as we take seriously Christ’s command to love one another. God be with you …

Some years ago I took part in a seminar at the College entitled “Validating Violence – Violating Faith”. Speakers presented papers on violence from Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Christian perspectives. What I have to share today is by way of notes on one of the presentations – a presentation by Professor Emeritus Garry Trompf of Sydney University. Professor Trompf is Professor of the History of Ideas, and his paper was daring in scope: “Religion and Violence: A Macro-Historical Perspective” – in other words, a big-picture approach.

Coming Up

Congregational Meeting & AGM: Sunday, June 3, 12pm. More details soon.

This month – May 2012

Orchard Gallery – Portraits: Opening Saturday, May 26, 5pm. Curated by Miriam Cabello. Phone 0438 719 470.

Orchard Gallery – Life Drawing: Retrospective 2011-12: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm, Saturdays, 1-3pm until May 24. Curated by Hayley Megan French.

Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays, May 1 and 15, 7:30am. In the Church, see Heather and Miriam for details.

Wordplay: Wednesdays, May 2 and 16, 6-8pm. Creative Writing Group. Woolpack Hotel Redfern (229 Chalmers Street, Redfern). Phone Adrian on 9690 1427 for more details. Bring along a favourite piece of writing and/or something you’ve written. All welcome.

Group Discussion - From Stories to Scrolls to One Sacred Book ... and into the Digital Age: Thursday, May 10, 7-9pm. Meet at the Manse (173 George St, Redfern). Preparation: Start reading Stories to Scrolls. Supper is provided.

Art Class: Saturdays, May 12 and 26, 12-4pm. In the Church Hall. . Jo Tracy leads the classes this month.

Informal Lunch: Sunday, May 13. Meet after church for an informal and affordable lunch. There is a “lunch box” for donations to help facilitate – your contribution is much appreciated. Contact Naomi for details.

Food Donations: Sunday, May 13. Donations of non-perishable foods are most welcome today! Please bring forward during the Offering of the service.

Epistle Sunday: Sunday, May 27. This Sunday will focus on the Epistle reading, and there will be letter- writing after the service (express yourself, write to a politician, a letter to the editor, etc.).

Visits to Villawood: Norrie is a regular visitor of asylum seekers detained at the Villawood Detention Centre. Contact Norrie for more info: 0432 885 422.