“It isn't normal to know what we want. It is a rare and difficult psychological achievement.”
Abraham Harold Maslow
Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
St Augustine of Hippo C.4th.
What do you really want? Underneath the ebb and flow of momentary likes and dislikes, beneath the desires that advertising implants in you, behind the facade of your false self, in your centre - what is it that you really want?
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This week we're going to look at a reading which includes two of my favourite things: wine, and grace. Well, not wine, but vineyards - close enough imho. And is it about grace - or about the dangers of resentment? Or maybe both? And it also gives me a chance to tell perhaps my favourite dad joke: I love hard work, I can stand around and watch it all day!
Join us as we engage Matthew 20:1-16.
Join us by Zoom on Tuesday 15/9/20 at 7pm - hit me up on Zoom for an invite.
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If it were up to me, I would probably pass on Jesus' suggestion about taking up one's cross and following. Couldn't I just opt for a less demanding, more enjoyable life? The idea that following Jesus is so tough that it can only be described as being like carrying your instrument of execution to an imminent, humiliating, and excruciating death is a bit of a hard sell IMHO. However: What if there is no avoiding crosses? What if the real question is: you're going to get a cross - what are you going to do about it?
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And you, Jesus asked his disciples. Who do you say that I am? It's the big question of Christian faith. It's where the rubber hits the road. Who is God calling you to be? What is God calling you to become?
Join us for Caravan - our contemplative Eucharist - on Tuesday 25/8 at 7pm via Zoom - as we engage this most provocative of questions through song, contemplative exercise, and food for the journey.
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Who is Jesus? And who are we - as individuals, but also as a church? Always good questions, but they seem particularly relevant to Cafechurch as it works out how to be the Northcote Uniting Church
As always, join us over Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday 18/8 to engage the Scripture, and to reflect on our identity and call.
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Jesus answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."
The woman said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15: 21-28
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And after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea... Matthew 14:23-25
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Matt Julius - Cafechurch member and UCA ordination candidate - led the session about the Trinity on 21/7/20. Check it out
Image: The true Trinity in true unity, Hildegard of Bingen, Date: c.1165
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Recently the Christian interwebs were set a-twitter by a few high profile leaders saying that they had lost, or were losing, their faith. I was particularly struck by Marty Sampson's story. He was a worship leader at Hillsong church, and a big figure in the Pentecostal world. You can read what he has to say about his faith at Relevant Magazine (the original Instagram post seems to have been taken down.)
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Anne writes: This coming Tuesday we will engage with how we can be community for one another in this time, through guided prayer and sharing. As Robyn Whitaker (Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity) wrote in The Conversation in March at the start of the lockdown, 'how do you "love your neighbour" when you aren't supposed to be near them?'
Here is the guided meditation. You will need two cups, one with water in it.
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To contact us, email Alister: info [at] cafechurch.org or call 03 7019 3135. Cafechurch is part of the Chalice - Northcote Congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia
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