9th February 2025 (Year C – Epiphany 5) “Let Down Your Nets”
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9th February 2025 (Year C – Epiphany 5) “Let Down Your Nets”

BySharon Dennis

Peter must have felt strange when he had been a fisherman all his life and Jesus a carpenter , tells him how to catch fish!

Go out deeper!

When we feel discouraged and in need of ‘catching fish’ Jesus calls us to listen to him and he will take us into deeper waters, to form honest Christ centered relationships when people will encounter God – and Grace – in a safe place. Jesus will teach us how to ‘fish with people’.

26th January 2025 (Year C – Epiphany 3) “Is our Body Connected and Coordinated?”
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26th January 2025 (Year C – Epiphany 3) “Is our Body Connected and Coordinated?”

BySharon Dennis

Hugh Mackay notes that the level of social connection in society is declining.

People are happier when they have meaning and purpose and also deep and significant connections.

The Church is a place that still provides this, where our differences and different gifts are valued, and community and connection is enabled through Christ’s living presence and mission.

12th January 2025 (Year C – Baptism of Jesus) “BAPTISM: God’s Love Song To All”
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12th January 2025 (Year C – Baptism of Jesus) “BAPTISM: God’s Love Song To All”

BySharon Dennis

In Baptism we are identified as beloved of God, and all other labels melt away.

“We human beings get so wrapped up with our own fears and distractions, of labelling ourselves and one another, that we often forget this sobering truth: we too are beloved by God.”

29th December 2024 (Year C – Christmas 1) “Looking for Jesus”
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29th December 2024 (Year C – Christmas 1) “Looking for Jesus”

BySharon Dennis

Jesus is increasing in wisdom by asking and listening and even amazes his elders!

It is frustrating when we have to call on one much younger, to teach us about computers!

However, there are also times when the wisdom and experience of having lived a bit of life is both important and valued.

The acronym for TEAM: ” Together Everyone Achieves More”, opens us to possibilities and to actively encouraging each other.

22nd December 2024 (Year C – Advent 4) “Women’s Business”
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22nd December 2024 (Year C – Advent 4) “Women’s Business”

BySharon Dennis

Being women, Mary and Elizabeth would have not been more than ‘homemakers’ in the culture of that day.

Mary sang a song which presented a new set of values – she was referring to what Jesus would do in His later Ministry.

In 2024 out culture still thinks of Christmas as being a story about a baby – not about Jesus, who God is and who you and I are invited to be – this is what Mary sang about.

15th December 2024 (Year C – Advent 3) “Not Getting into Hot Water”
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15th December 2024 (Year C – Advent 3) “Not Getting into Hot Water”

BySharon Dennis

In Biblical times it was common for water to be used for cleansing (not just washing).

John did it differently when he immersed people, baptising in Jesus’s name.

Inviting them to be partners for God and into the warmth of God’s goodness and then taking goodness into the world, for all to partake of.

8th December 2024 (Year C – Advent 2) “Road works in the Desert”
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8th December 2024 (Year C – Advent 2) “Road works in the Desert”

BySharon Dennis

John was God’s bulldozer! He prepared a road in the wilderness.

God chooses unlikely people in unlikely places to bring about his purposes.

‘Deserts’ for many people are very different places – places with guilt, disappointment, loss.

The way out of deserts is repentance then forgiveness, to bring about Grace and Peace.