A bit about myself: As a third culture kid life growing up has consisted of a lot of moving and travel but I currently live in Melbourne, Australia. I love the buzz of the city but also the scenic views of nature that the city does not offer. I really enjoy making most things arts and crafts, especially drawing and painting. I am currently a uni student studying science and hope to do dentistry down the track. Having been born in Indonesia I hope to one day go back there for mission work. What’s your favourite bible passage and why? One of my favourites would have to be John 15:1-17 ‘The Vine and the Branches’ because it addresses important topics so succinctly such as God being the one
Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everyth
2 Peter 3:3-15 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a
Revelation 5:5-14 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. What do you think are the character traits and qualities that our society values in people? What we read in the media indicates that our society values those who are successful, fun, popular, great at sport. We value those who
Ephesians 4:1-16 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descend
Ephesians 2:11-21 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) — remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was t
Romans 8.18-30 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
I often break the ice with people who meet me for the first time by telling them I think I am the only Anglican minister who has ever sat a bra fitting exam and gained 100%. It breaks down expectations of who and what an Anglican minister might be. And yet as I reflect on Easter this year I realise the depth behind that one liner. For many women shaped by feminism the idea of a male saviour is a disconnect. I myself wrestled with this disconnect and understand it. It has forced me to think deeply about Easter and the man Jesus at its centre. Do I sell out women by my faith in him? Yet, even as I type the statement “a male saviour” I know I am replacing the offer of real relationship with a s
Tell us a little about yourself Brevity isn’t my strong point so “a little about yourself” is tough! I am married to Mark who is a principal at a special school, I have three daughters (ages 15, 12, 9) and 2 cats, 4 guinea pigs and a turtle. I finished my PhD in ancient history at Macquarie Uni in 2015 looking at representations on disability in the gospel. I am lecturer at Mary Andrews College in Sydney am currently a Senior Fellow at Anglican Deaconess Ministries for 2017 working on a research project on the experiences of people with disability in the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. What's your favourite bible passage & why? I’m very interested in social justice so I am always enco
So it’s Easter. You’ve brainstormed up your service plans. Added some new and hopefully risk-free creative elements that won’t go too pear-shaped. You’ve rallied the troops with enthusiastic fervour to pull off this event. It’s nearly ‘go’ time. Musicians: check. Ushers: check. Newsletters (with a few swift kicks to the photocopier): hot off the press. Pleasant refreshments: sorted. Interpretive dancers: who authorised this? PowerPoint slides: locked and loaded. Message: ready to rumble. Out of the office on time… with a fairly empty inbox. #surprisedmyselfthere Home, even a few minutes early, to rest up for the weekend ahead. #ninjastatus That sense of satisfaction kicking
Many of my childhood Easter memories revolve around chocolate eggs and holidaying with my surrogate family in a lovely english coastal town called Beer. A single-parent, my Mum arranged for us to get away in the school holidays with neighbours. It worked out well for all: as the eldest I was able to keep an eye on their younger offspring and my Mum got some much needed adult time. It was an annual tradition. Waking up early on Easter morning to discover chocolate eggs at the end of the bed. My neighbour’s youngest son devouring a Yorkie Trucker’s Egg before 8am. Me tracing my fingers over the correctly-spelt Philippa on the hand-made Thornton’s egg. I don’t recall us attending church on East
I love Genesis. It depicts the beginning of a revolutionary unveiling. A slow interpersonal unveiling of the ordered nature of the creation and the Creator. And "in the beginning" the creation was good. And the goodness echoes on ... Day 1 good, day 3 good and good, day 4 good, day 5 good, day 6 good and very good. It was good. In the world known as the Ancient Near East - inclusive of lands from ancient Egypt to Assyria, Babylon and surrounding nations - Genesis was a revolutionary creation narrative. It revealed a unique theological narrative about our world. A revolutionary narrative. In Egypt, Babylon, and elsewhere around that ancient world, creation narratives were numerous. They to
Tell us a little about you I love great coffee! I have had the most interesting career – being a pastor, a journalist and social commentator, running a charity, starting a kindergarten, working in politics and now in business running a health and wellness centre. My husband is a film-maker and we love cheering each other on. What's your favourite bible passage & why? It’s a dead even tie between Proverbs 4:23 and Ephesians 2:10. Ephesians 2:10 speaks to me about a vision for identity and purpose, and Proverbs 4:23 helps remind me how to maintain healthy identity and purpose without getting side-lined by an unhealthy heart. How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus? I discover him more and mor
I wonder how your year is progressing. I wonder if, like me, you're feeling a little ... uninspired. It's far enough into the year that it's lost it's 'new year' shine. We've forgotten the resolutions and promises we made to others and ourselves. The summer holidays were a while ago, and weariness is settling itself back into our eyes and bones. And the all-pervasive routines are once again taking us over, so that quickly and quietly, days weeks and months are slipping by. It turns out this year might look an awful lot like the one before it. And the one before that. Last Thursday I was feeling particularly despondent, as I was listening to a few different people talk in a church. The last o
Tell us a little about yourself I was born and raised in Hong Kong but have spent the last 14 years in Sydney. Some things that I love are sushi, sunsets and snow (alliteration unintended). Over the last few years, I’ve occasionally found myself on a plane during my holidays where my eyes were opened to different corners of the world. I’ve lived with a serious travel bug ever since! During these trips, I’ve also developed a real love for photography and its power to capture, record and retell stories and experiences (of old and new), ones that our minds may not always be able to retain. What's your favourite bible passage & why? If I had to really choose one, it’d be Ephesians 2:8-9 - it was
