Sankofa

Sankofa

Sankofa – 31 December 2024

IntroductionOver my many years in the ministry, occasionally I have been told, “That’s politics. It’s not faith.” Or “You are being political. Stay with the Bible.”  Frankly, I don’t know what that means, “Stay with the Bible.” I believe the Bible is a very political book. Yes, I am political. Yes, I am interested in politics. But I tried my utmost not to be party-political. What that means is I don’t champion a particular political party. I tried my best to…

Sankofa – 21 December 2022

Introduction Yesterday, Nigel informed me that he will not be accepting the offer of a further contract with MUC for 2023. I have asked him to join us at the 1st of January 2023 Worship Service so that we can thank him for his contributions to MUC and pray for him. I know many members are blessed by the pastoral care he offers. Personally, I thank God for him. The Year 2022 Five days to Christmas and 10 days before…

Sankofa #21

Structures, Governance, and Polity  Last Saturday members of the Church Council met to continue to review our structures, governance, and polity of Manningham Uniting Church. Rev Duncan Macleod facilitated the workshop. Recently General Secretary Mark Lawrence announced that Duncan will take on the role of Executive Officer of eLM in February as the permanent replacement for Jenny Byrnes, who retired earlier this year. I believe Duncan did a good job in facilitating last Saturday. We haven’t reached a consensus yet.…

Sankofa #20

Introduction It is worth noting that in the first century, it was common phenomenon for a spiritual leader to have disciples. John the Baptist had disciples (Matt. 9:14); and Pharisees had disciples (Matt. 22:16). Jesus himself had many disciples other than the renowned twelve (Matt. 10:1; (Lk. 22:11). Jesus called his disciples to a new and different life. The new life called for a paradigm shift in their thinking, affections, actions, reactions, worldview, and perspectives. Disciple, learner, follower– these words…

Sankofa #19

Introduction Came back last Sunday morning. Nearly missed our flights. We mistook our flight to leave on Sunday midnight rather than Saturday midnight. We had dinner on Saturday evening at my second sister’s place. For whatever reason my nephew, Sim decided to check our itinerary and realised that our flight was due to leave at midnight. Thari and I quickly packed, showered and left for the airport. Arriving at the airport we weighed our luggage and realised that we had…

Sankofa #18

SingaporeYes, I am writing this Musing from Singapore. Came back to celebrate my eldest brother 80th birthday. The last few years he has some heath issues. I told my second sister recently that I don’t know which one of us will go first. I am the second youngest in the family of six. I am a realist. 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-racism Not long after I arrived in MUC, I was told that there are racists in the congregation.…

Sankofa #17

Introduction Last Sunday 51 members and friends came together to enjoy an afternoon of singing and listening of ‘favourite’ hymns. It’s another celebration of the International Day of Senior Adults. We are thinking of having a Christmas Carols Fest sometime in early December. I want to thank Ron Gaudion and Tony Wheeler especially, for helping to make Hymn Fest happen. Advent Conspiracy In 2006, three pastors, Chris Seay, Greg Holder, and Rick McKinley, decided to try something different. They called…

Sankofa #16

Introduction I am confident that if we take a survey on the question of ‘What is Worship?’ we will have a myriad of views. Is there a definitive answer to the question, ‘What is worship’? Let’s be honest, our understandings of worship are probably coloured by the denominations we belong to. I understand the Greek word for ‘worship’ is proskyneō and it is translated as ‘to kiss, to lower oneself in humility or reverence, to adore, to surrender completely to another’. Simply…

Sankofa #14

IntroductionI started writing this musing at 5am this morning. I had a few ‘strong’ reactions to my last Wednesday musing, especially my feelings about the death of Queen Elizabeth. I am not surprised and expected that to happen. As I have stated last Wednesday “I mean no disrespect for the life and memory of Queen Elizabeth II and for the grief of her family.” Everyone has the right to react (or feel) whatever they want about the late Queen. However,…

Sankofa #15

IntroductionLast Sunday, 47 people came together to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons with a lunch. I am glad that we could do that. Let’s not forget that many of our ‘older persons’ are our main contributors to the life of Manningham Uniting Church. Hope you have read my article on Ageism in the latest MUC Magazine. Fear and LoveWhat I am about to muse with you is probably nothing new or extraordinary to some of you. “There are…

Sankofa #13

Introduction I refuse to switch on my TV since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8th of September 2022. Our local Australian media has been covering the fact, and its aftermath in church and state, on a 24/7, 7 days per week basis. Truth be told I found it a bit nauseating. I mean no disrespect for the life and memory of Queen Elizabeth II and for the grief of her family.  Now is not the Time I have…

Sankofa #12

You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy. – Jane Kirsten Marczewski Jane Kirsten Marczewski  It would not surprise me if most of you don’t know who Jane Marczewski is. She is best known for being a singer who performed on America’s Got Talent in June 2021, where she got the coveted “Golden Buzzer” from Simon Cowell. She sung her original song, ‘It’s OK.” She is known professionally as Nightbirde. She became internationally known after…

Sankofa #11

Introduction A few weeks ago, I mused about the fact that we are all wounded (traumatised). And I shared the importance of us healing our wounds. I hope I didn’t give the impression that it was easy. It isn’t. Healing is never a definite location but something in process. It is the basic ordinary work of staying engaged with our own wounds and limitations. Healing does not necessarily mean forgiveness. Healing is learning to love the wound because love draws…

Sankofa #10

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) This is a most unhelpful verse of all verses in the Bible, for me. I am sure by now you know that I am imperfect. And you know what?  I will never be perfect. Sorry to disappoint some of you. 😊 Truth be told I won’t even try. As far as I am concerned, it’s a futile goal. Over the years I have learned to accept myself for who…

Sankofa #9

Yes, I am on leave, but I have decided to continue musing with you. Many of you have expressed that you are enjoying my weekly musing. I am glad and honoured. Some of you are aware that I am an early riser –  most days before five unless I am very, very tired, or not well. Matter of fact I do enjoy waking up early. It gives me the opportunity to read, reflect, write, and pray. Traumas Recently I have…

Sankofa #8

I am aware that some of you were not at the MUC Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 15th August 2022. Bob, the Chair of the congregation invited me to say a few words. I spoke from my heart. Here is what I shared. Thank You First thing I want to say is THANK YOU.  Thank you for inviting me to minister amongst you. Thank you for accepting me. I know some of you have found my accent difficult. And at…

Sankofa #7

A few of you have told me that you like my last Wednesday musing on death. One of you said, “it was timely”. And I said that I would muse more on how our faith help us in living into death.  Over the years I have observed that people find it difficult to talk about death. Some live in denial of death. We refuse to talk about it. It’s uncomfortable, and so we avoid the subject, and that avoidance increases…

Sankofa #6

“God I am all ready but I am not in a hurry.” – Swee Ann ☺ Several months after I arrived at Mt Martha Uniting Church (my first placement) I discovered that I was having difficulty accompanying a member who was dying. I felt uneasy. I told myself that I can’t feel this way if I want to continue my ministry as a Minister. What did I do? I took a course on Bereavement Counselling for two years. Before the…

Sankofa #5

I am writing this Musing at 4.30am. I have been awake since 3am. I was lying in bed reading and reflecting on the final chapter of ‘A Meal with Jesus’.  The Ministry Team spent yesterday together in a small room at Wesley Place in Lonsdale Street. We spent time sharing and reflecting on BOUNDARIES and SELF-CARE. We also had conversations on the ‘Needs, Concerns and Opportunities’ of MUC in the next six months. And by the time I reached home…

Sankofa #4

Last Saturday the Church Council, with some members of the Portfolios and committees met to reflect on how to renew leadership within MUC. I am a big believer in getting people together for conversations. There was also a lot of time spent in listening, clarifying, and challenging of certain assumptions. We all make assumptions. We make them all the time. It can be about anyone and anything. If we are not careful in assuming, then we may get badly trapped…
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