Posts
Stay up to date with the latest from our blog.
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Arriving at the Pace of Faith:
Letting the New Light Dawn upon Us LENTEN STUDY
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Finding Light in Waiting: Lessons from Simeon and Anna
Waiting for the Light invites us to linger with the Feast of the Presentation — a moment poised between endings and beginnings. Christmas has faded, Lent has not yet arrived, and we stand, like…
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Called into Light: Made a People
There is an inherent cohesion running through the readings as set for Epiphany 3A. In Isaiah 9, the prophecy begins, “here will be no gloom for those who were in anguish”, and then progresses…
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Living Together in the Light
This week’s homily will not be preached on Sunday, 11th January, but I spent considerable time reflecting on what the four verses of the Gospel of Matthew mean. Bit of a minefield, really. Down…
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Arise! Shine! For your light has come!
The words of Isaiah are etched rather deeply into my mind, but for a rather cynical reason rather than joyful! At seminary, each Monday morning office began with those words, and more often than…
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Holy Innocents, Batman? We need to talk!
Shanna Hetrick’s brilliant sermon now attached below. Threads and Echos “It is the same thread given to us by the echo of Matthew’s community: in the face of turmoil and a sense of helplessness,…
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The Light that embraces us all
A Christmas special! On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the light that interrupts darkness and brings hope, peace, joy, and love. This light, embodied in a vulnerable child, is not just…
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People of the Dawn: Signs of Newness in the Fidelity of Love
This study guide was put together prior to the terrorist activity afflicting the Jewish Community of Bondi North, Sydney, on 14th December. Chanukkah, a festival of joy, became a moment in history where ideology…
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People of the Dawn
Advent is holy interruption: Light interrputing darknessGrace interrupting sinPeace interrupting fearGod interrupting historyChrist interrupting expectations. And Matthew’s genealogy proclaims the same truth.God works in the interruptions. Are you feeling the weight of darkness in…
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The Reign of Christ: from Hope to Grace
Have you ever felt the world spinning out of control, yearning for something solid to hold onto? Today, we explore how Christ’s kingship offers not a distant authority but an intimate grace that holds…
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Why follow when the world burns?
In a world that often feels like it’s burning, as we approach the end of the International Year of Hope, we once again view it through the lens of Job’s unwavering faith. Drawing parallels…
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I want to be forever young…
The sermon for All Saints’ Day celebrates the communion of saints, emphasising that saints are not distant figures but a living, breathing family spanning heaven and earth. It highlights that the communion of saints…
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Living as Agents of God’s Love
This week, we explore the theme of change and growth, drawing parallels between the evolution of music and the journey of faith. It highlights the need for lament, hope, and faithful love, as exemplified…
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Self-Satisfaction is not a godly virtue
Have you ever caught yourself shrugging off others’ suffering with “that’s just how things are”? In this powerful message, we are challenged to overcome our complacency through Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich…
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Aligning with the Heart of God
What if your prayers held the power to change the world? How do we align our prayers with the heart of God as we embrace the Lord’s Prayer? Through the compelling story of Abraham’s…
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Transformative Compassion begins with the Heart
What would you do if you found yourself alone on a desolate road, faced with the urge to help someone in need? In his powerful sermon, Dennis takes us on a journey through the…
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Under the Branches of the Tree of Life
A Journey of Healing and Harmony Are you searching for a place of healing and hope? In his captivating sermon, Dennis invites us to gather “Under the Branches of the Tree of Life,” where…
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St Peter: Feast of Title
This weekend, being the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, or if you wish, just St Peter, we are keeping the feast with an Evensong on Saturday 3.30 pm and a Festive Eucharist on…
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Clothed, Called, and Commissioned: A Gospel for All
Restoration in Christ doesn’t just put us back together—it transforms us and places us within a vibrant, interconnected community. This restoration is not merely about mending what was broken; it’s about reshaping our identity…
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Dreams and Visions – the essence of Hope
Dennis emphasised the significance of dreams and visions as expressions of hope inspired by the Holy Spirit during Pentecost. He emphasised that the Spirit empowers everyone, regardless of their status, to envision a hopeful…
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The Hope that Holds Us
Dennis emphasises the transformative power of hope, distinguishing it from mere optimism. He uses the examples of Paul and Silas, the unwavering justice of God in Psalm 97, and the inviting words of Revelation…
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From Joppa to the World: Taking the Voice of God to the Ends of the Earth
In the study, Dennis emphasises Joppa as a significant crossroads for hearing God’s voice and responding to his call. He compares the stories of Jonah and Peter, highlighting how both faced God’s mission, with…
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Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd
In his sermon, Dennis emphasises how the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, actively shapes our lives and calls us to mission. He highlights the stories of Tabitha, Peter, Simon the Tanner, and Saul…
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Asking the Questions
This weekend, we are reminded of the disciples’ fear and confusion on Easter evening when Jesus appears and offers them peace, showing his wounds instead of rebuke. The story centres on Thomas, often labelled…
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The Towel and the Cross
The Day of Resurrection sermon reflects on the significance of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day, illustrating how the towel and the cross serve as tools for service and hope. It emphasizes that…
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Squanderer!
Dennis explores the concept of being “prodigal,” illustrating how the wayward son and the father embody this term through reckless actions and extravagant forgiveness. He emphasises the significance of remembering our identities and relationships…
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Either heaped on or nurtured, this is life as we know it!
In the words of the wonderful Mrs Dolly Levi, “Money is like manure: it is not worth a thing unless it is spread around.” Today’s reflection is a short article exploring not only the…
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The fox went out one night
Dennis reflects on the imagery of the fox and the hen to illustrate the protective love of Jesus. He highlights how Jesus, like a mother hen, seeks to gather and protect his peopledespite the…
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Resisting Complacency: Adhering to Our Divine Calling
As the first Sunday of Lent begins, today’s reflections are on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, emphasising the importance of resisting distractions that lead us away from our divine calling. The reflection draws parallels…
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Exodus into Lent
Dennis invites us to reflect on significant mountain-top experiences that deepen our faith and understanding of God’s presence. He recalls how Martin Luther King Jr. and biblical figures like Moses and Elijah had transformative…
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The Importance of Story
This week, we discuss the importance of storytelling in faith and community, emphasising how stories shape our identities and values. He uses examples from Scripture, such as Joseph’s forgiveness, Paul’s insights on resurrection, and…
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Trusting in God’s Word: The Call to Faithfulness in Scripture
More an article for this week, as Dennis is having time on the bench (the organ bench) allowing for the excellent Fr. Jeff Berger to be granted the pulpit! The article emphasises the importance…
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A very fishy story
Dennis explores mathematics, faith, and biblical narratives, mainly focusing on their significance within the context of Jesus’ teachings. He parallels ancient mathematicians like Pythagoras and Archimedes and their insights, linking them to Simon Peter’s…
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Recognising Christ among us
Dennis emphasises the importance of recognising Christ in our midst through acts of mercy and humility, reflecting on the scriptural foundation laid by figures like Simeon and Anna. He highlights that God’s presence often…
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Very courageous, Minister
Dennis reflects on the intersection of faith, history, and social justice, using examples from Australian folk songs and contemporary political challenges. He emphasises that Jesus’ message of liberation and compassion remains vital in today’s…
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I’m over here!
Spiritual gifts, jars of purification, on the third day, Moses delivers the words of God from Mount Sinai. Somewhere in all this, there is also a wedding where Jesus’ mother is referred to as…
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New Beginning
There is a lot in the selection of verses from Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus. There is also a lot that is ‘assumed’ or added to it from the other synoptic gospels.…
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Orient Tar
Dennis encourages reflection on the story of the magi as we enter the Epiphany season, highlighting their journey and gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He emphasises that the magi, likely wise men rather…
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Where did I leave that child?
Dennis celebrated the joy of the Christmas season while urging reflection on the true meaning behind the festivities. He encouraged listeners to recognise when they feel distant from God, drawing parallels with Mary and…
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The Joy of Abiding in Christ: A Journey, Not a Burden
The reflection, “The Joy of Abiding in Christ: A Journey, Not a Burden,” delves into the relationship between Christians and Christ, likening it to a joyful journey rather than a gruelling task. Drawing on…
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The sermon “Renounce all Evil” delves into the biblical tale of Jacob and Esau, highlighting themes of forgiveness and spiritual transformation. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing and care, likening it to spiritual pruning…
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I renounce all that is evil
The sermon “In Renounce All Evil” calls for rejecting evil and injustice, and embracing love and care. It draws from Gospel parables, country music, and science fiction to emphasize Christ’s love through action. Examples…
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Repenting of Sin: A Call to Transformation
On 14th April, 2024, a sermon titled “Repenting of Sin: A Call to Transformation” delves into understanding Christian jargon, repentance, and the significance of baptismal covenant. Emphasizing the acceptance of Jesus Christ and the…
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I turn to Christ
Thomas the Twin was not the only one In the sermon “I Turn to Christ,” Dennis explores the story of Thomas, emphasizing the importance of faith and doubt among the disciples. Thomas’s encounter with…
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Truly this is the Son of God.
The sermon “Truly this is the Son of God” underscored the meaning of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and how it influences the faith of Christians. Dennis correlated the notion of dissonance in musical harmony to…
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Good Friday, 2024
A reflection on the beginning and ending of Mark’s gospel
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Towards Harmony
A Lenten Journey In the sermon “Towards Harmony,” Dennis leads his congregation through a comprehensive study of the transformative power inherent in baptism, in alignment with St Peter’s Lenten theme of “Living in Harmony.”…
Breaking Open 