Hi Church,
Well for me I have had a lovely weekend of family friends fellowship and fun. It started with a lovely celebration Part 2 of my Son Peter and his finance Amelia Raymond at their engagement party which was held at my house. This resulted in some 50 to 60 people turning up from near and far and toasting the Bride and Groom to be. It was a wonderful moment to enjoy as we saw two heritages of faith begin to flow together, as both Peter and Amelia are from multi-generational Pastoral Leadership homes. We will follow up this party with their wedding which will be in Canberra on the 16th of December. Sorry I can’t invite you all but I’m sure you will send your love and prayers anyway for what will be a beautiful day.
Apart from my Saturday there was a wonderful Sunday for us all with Ps Mark Raymond, Amelia’s father, sharing the word with us. I loved Mark’s anointed relax style leading us into an encounter with Jesus as we paused to consider where Jesus was in our storm. Mark showed us through the gospel of Mark 4:35-41 of Jesus in the boat in the storm that Jesus does care and that as Christians we are of all people are best placed to endure the happenings of life because of Christ within us. Mark told us as trained counsellor that modern Psychology is just recognising now just how important the human spirit is for the inner peace world and mental health. The answer then and now and always will be keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, know that He is close, know that he is our help and peace. The Worship team and the prophetic throughout the meeting was again on point, knitting together a complete spiritually meaningful time together.
A moment of thanks was included in our service to recognise Kalista Klomps much valued work season with us for the past near three years. We bless Kalista for her new season and pray it will be fruitful in her new location. You can always catch up with Kalista at her business Blendz and Beanz on Clarence Street.
Further to my comments last week. Some may have felt offence by them in my broad stroke generalisations, if so please forgive me. My intention is to provoke us to think and pray and take our heart responses to the Holy Spirit for understanding. My heart is that we have a community that is united in love and peace by the Kingdom of God and not divided by race and preference of one over another. I believe the intention in general, is good for those who want a change through the Yes vote. There is a cry for recognition, justice and truth that does need a considered and compassionate response. I also believe that the way it has been packaged as an all or nothing approach leaves so many unanswered questions that the risks for such a major change requested seem very great. We don’t want to be a people of fear and we don’t want to be a people naive to possible dangers of significant law changes and governance.
Either way I believe we are left with a heavy heart as the options placed before us don’t seem to lead us to peace and reconciliation to each other. This is when we pray Have Mercy O Lord and let “Your Kingdom Come your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
I will leave you with more articles to consider from the Daily Declaration a Christian e-news publication detailing articles for and against which hopefully will be helpful to form your own opinion. https://canberradeclaration.org.au/
Approaching the Voice from a Christian Perspective
For the Voice
1. The Voice: A Christian Consideration by Rev Dr Michael Jensen. Michael is the rector at St Mark's Anglican Church, Darling Point, and a former lecturer at Moore Theological College.
2. Open Letter to Religious Leaders In Australia – Supporting the Voice – Supporting the Voice” by Tim Costello. Tim was the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Advocate of World Vision Australia.
3. Responding Generously to a Generous Voice by Rev Dr Andrew Errington. Andrew is the rector at Newtown Erskineville Anglican Church and researcher at the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University. Andrew writes for Sydney Anglicans on behalf of the Social Issues Committee.
Against the Voice
1. 10 Reasons Christians Should Vote No to the Voice by Kurt Mahlburg and Ps James Dargin.
2. The Voice: Making Life Even Worse for Us by Bess Nungarrayi Price, AM. Bess is a former Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and the mother of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
3. A Christian Case to Vote No to the Voice: My Reply to Michael Jensen’s Response by Dr Stephen Chavura. Stephen teaches European and Australian history at Campion College in Sydney.
Conclusion
The issues raised in these six articles give a good overview of where the two positions are coming from. Searching the Daily Declaration for the ‘Voice’ and the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ will retrieve a wealth of information to consider in the lead-up to referendum day.
The Constitution, beginning with the words “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”, has given Australia a firm foundation for its nationhood and has served us remarkably well. Let’s lean into that.
A special note Shirley Hallum has presented some insightful research on the Voice and has been published in the editor’s column in the Daily Telegraph on multiple occasions. Well done, Shirley.
God bless you Church as you earnestly seek the Lord and His wisdom.
Ps Greg and Amanda