April
2004
Our journey individually and together through Lent is over. In these days of Easter we remember that Jesus who faced persecution, public humiliation and death on a cross is the Christ who calls us to follow, and the one who marks each of us to be his presence in the world.
On Easter Day we celebrate the resurrection. The stone put at the entrance of the tomb is not where it should be. Jesus’ body is not where it had been left either. His immediate friends cannot believe it. The rumours fly. The unbelievable has happened, for God is at work. God raised Jesus, who was crucified days before. The resurrection happens without any eye-witnesses. Yes, there are witnesses to the empty tomb. But the witnesses cannot explain it; they can only experience it and believe it has happened.
For us this is still true. We were not witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection on that day. But we are witnesses to the resurrection in the lives of people we know, as the God of new things transforms who they are and offers hope and life to everyone.
In many places and many ways people do and will continue witnessing to their faith.
- Early in March the National Council of Churches facilitated a consultation “Safe as Churches?” a national ecumenical gathering to look at sexual misconduct and abuse in churches. People from 11 traditions of the Christian Church in Australia took part.
- The new Bible House at Macquarie Park was opened on March 7, 200 years to the day the Bible Society was established in England, and 187 years since its beginning in New South Wales. The move to new offices and distribution centre came after 65 years in Bathurst Street, Sydney.
- Newington College and the Synod formally welcomed chaplains Geoff Dornan and Don Dowling, inducted to their roles within the school. The Rev. Professor James Haire has been inducted to a new placement bridging the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and his role as Professor of Theology, Charles Sturt University.
- Sustained Dialogue, Close Encounters of the Muslim-Christian Kind, a record of interfaith dialogue between Muslim and Christian (Catholic and Uniting Church) people as they met in homes over six months was launched on Harmony Day.
- Inverell Congregation celebrated 100 years of witness in Taylor Memorial Church. The published record of this amazing journey is called Gems for His Kingdom. St David’s Haberfield celebrated 135 years of worship of that congregation and admission to the Heritage register. At Kincumber, The Cottage (Manasseh Frost House) has been opened and dedicated for community use.
- People in several places have talked with me about their faith and how it is for them being part of the church.
- This Easter weekend many communities will hold Easter Marches as they witness to the hope of the resurrection.
We, who proclaim that God has raised Jesus, must live as Easter people — people of the resurrection. May our lives show clearly, every day, that we are filled with experiences of God at work in us.