Reflections

I have often read with frustration the call of Matthew. It’s infuriating because it’s all over in just one verse. Jesus simply bowls up to Matt’s office and says “Follow me”. And Matthew does. The whole incident is over in just 30 words. What’s going on? Presumably, this is not the first time that Jesus...Continue reading→

I read something as if for the first time the other day. It went like this. “ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom…” Well you know how the story ends. I quickly point out that both the...Continue reading→

Today's story begins in the year of our Lord 1982. I am swept up in the frantic pace of the parish priest of Ararat as we go to visit Aradale. A place for those who are not mentally well. The service is nothing like I have ever experienced before and never have since. There are clients...Continue reading→

A friend taught something the other day. He pointed out that he finds himself getting grumpy when he ingests the news. Like eating something that gives you indigestion. Having watched the news I see what he means. Each story is carefully crafted to divide our community. It is inflammatory and infuriating. I quickly point out...Continue reading→

This is a macabre parable. The poor old owner invests heavily in the wine industry and leases his shiny new vineyard out to some villainous tenants. They trash the place and keep all the profits for themselves. The owner sends several real estate agents to inspect his vineyard and  sort it out. Each of them get...Continue reading→

One of the reasons I really like the Old Testament lesson is that it rings true. It sounds authentic. In just one of the stories the Israelites are trudging through the wilderness and they are having a bit of a whinge. This is not the first time or the last time they grumble. They whinge...Continue reading→

It had been a day. You know the sort of thing. Time and circumstance had played their tricks and what had seemed straightforward and uncomplicated had been mangled by the unforeseen. Then what should have been a delicious conversation went horridly awry because … well because, I was not listening to what was being said....Continue reading→

The other day I went to buy bread at the supermarket. But on the way through the checkout a chocolate frog winked at me, seduced me and before you could say ‘Do you have a loyalty card’ the delectable beast was mine. I tore off the wrapper with a wicked cackle of glee. Bah ha...Continue reading→

Let me tell you this morning's parable  with a slightly different twist. Vic the owner of the vineyard has done this little ritual of employing people each day to go to his vineyard for 32 years now. The ones that are up and about and eagerly looking for work at 7:30am he cheerfully employs and...Continue reading→

a reflection for Sunday 13th of September. I hope that it might be helpful if I retold today's parable in a slightly different way. A chap is in debt to the king to the tune of ten thousand talents.  I’ll call him Andy. Andy is your typical blue collar, working class man and lived in...Continue reading→

Have you noticed that when you  are wearing a mask your glasses fog up? This makes selecting the right papadums at the supermarket an extremely ambitious project. I squint, wriggle my glasses, adjust the mask and try not to breathe too heavily. It’s going to take me a little while to get used to this.But...Continue reading→

Due to COVID our Fete might well be a bit different this year. We could abandon it completely and just go for next year. We could encourage folk if they were able to give a similar amount to what they gave /contributed last year. and / or have an internet auction and / or things...

These are the folk you nominated to be on Parish Council. There are exactly the right number so they are duly elected. Great choices people! Stewart Otton (Rector's warden), Claire Hilsdon (People's warden), Peter Walsgott (People's warden) Graeme Mustow, Jenny Rankin, Tony Roe, Jannie Ryan, Gavin Wallis, Elisabeth Cumming, Earlene Gellert, Caroline Mills, Maree West...Continue reading→

The message of the masks Pretty ones, masculine ones, darlick ones, feminine ones, nondescript ones, hospital ones, funny ones, dotty ones, bandana ones. They are prolific and colourful. They are good for us and very good for others. Yes, it is true that they hide a bit of us and we don’t see everything; but...Continue reading→

Today's story begins at Westminster abbey in London.  Over the west door of the abbey there are statues of 20th century martyrs.  Martin Luther King Junior, Oscar Romero and Dietrich Bonhoffer are some of the more well known martyrs. One that you may not have heard of is a gentleman Lucian Tapiedi. Lucian was born in...Continue reading→

This morning we have the story of the child Moses being found by Pharaoh's daughter. There are several characters in this little story. First, there is Moses Mum. She is not named here but later  we will learn that she is Jochebed. Jochebed lives in a time of political tyranny. The nasty king orders the...Continue reading→

To my horror a memory bubbled to the surface the other day. I recalled with shame that I was denigrating one of my fellow clergy. Quite a tirade it was and my ever so patient listener took it all in good natured silence. When I had exhausted my verve and vocabulary, they quietly gave me...Continue reading→

When it's not COVID season, I enjoy the undeserved privilege of going to people's homes.  Sometimes you get a sense of the vibe that is in the walls. There are some homes where the atmosphere is downright fractious. Nothing is said, nothing much happens and yet you know that all is not right and all...Continue reading→

It was very early in the morning and still dark when I toddled across to morning prayer. It had not been a pretty time. I had dreamt badly, I was concerned for someone in hospital and there was that tricky letter to write. Multiples of paper had screamed at me for urgent attention. When it...Continue reading→

You would be painfully aware that we can only have 20 people inside for Church gatherings. This means that at the moment our Parish AGM will be limited to 20 people. We really hope that this will change in time and everyone can come.(Hoorah) In order to allow ample time for the possibility of election...Continue reading→