Cate Thorn

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25 February 2024

Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Mark 8:31-38

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Context influences everything. We’re in the context of this beautiful church, built in a style that reflects its Anglican Christian roots. Roots that bring with it a tradition with liturgical rhythm and right now we’re in the season of Lent. A season we simplify our living as we prepare for the pivotal feast of Easter.  It’s in this context we hear the readings of the day. Genesis tells of a pivotal moment in the God, Abram/ Sarai relationship. Through committing to covenant relationship with God Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai Sarah. 

Cate Thorn

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18 February 2024

Lent 1

Genesis 9:8-17

Mark 1:9-15

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Rainbows after devastating floods, desert places and wilderness times after drowning into new life baptism, covenant making and God promise-keeping such are themes that appear in today’s readings this first Sunday in Lent. 1 Peter, the third lectionary reading for today, although not read here connects Jesus baptism and the Noah and flood story. It directs us to the part of the Noah tale we, at least as adults, most struggle with. The devastation in the tale, the utter destruction - so few, just eight, were given chance to survive (in religious parlance be saved). 

Cate Thorn

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11 February 2024

Ordinary 6

Isaiah 42:1-9

Luke 2: 9-14

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• The sentence, collect and first reading are from Second Isaiah (chapters 40–66), which were written about 538 BC after the experience of the Exile in Babylon. The prophet’s disciples write of a ‘covenant people’ with a calling to ‘make justice shine on the nations’, and ‘to open eyes that are blind’.

Diana Rattray

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4 February 2024

Ordinary 5

Isaiah 40:21-31

Mark 1:29-39

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When I was in my early twenties I worked in a parish in Christchurch. I was “employed” in a full time role without a job description or contract and for not a lot of financial return. The church saw it as tentmaking – in retrospect I see it as more exploitative. I worked ridiculously long hours and did all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I did learn a huge amount – mostly what I would not do again, and a lot about myself, that I couldn’t just work constantly and always be helping others – I had to stand up for myself and take time out – I needed the wisdom and guidance of others who had walked the road before. I also needed to learn to say no.

Susan Adams

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28 January 2024

Epiphany 4

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Mark 1:21-28

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When I first read the opening verses of the Gospel reading set for today, the 4th Sunday of the 5 Sundays of Epiphany this year, It felt familiar and reassuring. Jesus and his new friends went to church because it was a holy day. Well, they went to the synagogue in Capernaum, on the northern end of the Sea of Galilee. A bit like us, coming to church because it is Sunday. And, a bit like us, it seems those who were gathered - in the forecourt of the synagogue - enjoyed the authoritative teaching he offered. " He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." It's always great when you listen to someone who knows what they are talking about and you can follow what they are saying.

Amanda Mark

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21 January 2024

Epiphany 3

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Cate Thorn

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14 January 2024 

Epiphany 2

1 Samuel 3:1-10

John 1:43-51

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Samuel, Philip, Nathanael, each called by name in different setting, and varied contexts. Those first three times Samuel is called neither he nor Eli recognize the One whose voice is calling. Perhaps it’s not surprising, after all the passage opens telling us that “the word of God was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.” Only after the third time does Eli recognize it for what it is - God calling. Then Eli knows what to do, how to instruct Samuel. Through Eli, Samuel learns how to listen for, how to recognise God.

Amanda Mark

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7 January 2024

The Epiphany

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