Alison and the whale

Suffering is indiscriminate, but so is joy. A personal story, a bit of commentary, and some invitations. Shared with Coburg Uniting on 13 October 2024.

An invitation to connect with the earth. Shared with Rosanna Baptist on 6 October 2024, reflecting on Genesis 18:1-15.

Church isn’t about living a sheltered or peaceful life, nor is it about ignoring or erasing the differences in the room. A reflection shared with Brunswick Baptist Church on 22 September 2024.

An Anangu-Pitjantjatjara-Yankunytjatjara story collides with a Hebrew Psalm flowing through a Cornishwoman who was born in the colony and learned about the APY story at art galleries built on Wurundjeri land. Paintings, stories, animations and interviews from a major exhibition here [https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/songlines]. Senior Law Women and AṈANGU Dancers from the APY Lands slowly unfold the story here [https://youtu.be/3igXR7oL8FU?si=PvtD7JC9vo5DBR75] with gentle good humour Wirangu women Susie Betts and cultural knowledge keeper Veda Betts tell a third version here [https://youtu.be/3igXR7oL8FU?si=PvtD7JC9vo5DBR75], linking it to stories told around the world Explore, learn, be fed, enjoy ... and share the story!

A friend encouraged me to re-preach an oldie on the Syro-Phoenician woman. But you can never quite do the same thing twice. So here’s the oldie, updated to reflect recent news events and some fresh weirdness in my life. Given to Coburg Uniting Church Sunday 8 September 2024.