Last Sunday the Uniting Church congregations of the greater Hobart area gathered to share together in a joint service.
A little over 300 gathered on a cold, wet, windy day in the gym at Newtown High School. It was an enjoyable, energetic, positive gathering, and one that I hope is repeated again in the future.
For those interested, you can find a power point collection of images here: Advent worshiip – Greater Hobart 09 – part 1 (be warned, it’s 6mb in size).
Some of the words and statements used in the gathering were powerful, and significant in the life of the church in the region.
Carol Bennett’s reflection delivered during the service is in full here at tasmission.
The opening prayer was:
We gather in the presence of your Spirit, God of life, in this time of Advent; this time which invites us into ever-deepening experience, reflection and stories of your coming among us.
We come as people of God: part of the body of Christ in this place and beyond, claiming our place in your story of life and faithfulness.
We come as people who share in the identity of the Uniting Church in Australia, conscious of its history, its success, its failings and its potential.
People in congregations and faith communities, people in missions and agencies, people of UnitingCare, Uniting Aged Care gather together in worship in this place where Mouheneene people have lived for countless generations.
We come with respect for their traditions, and honour the life and ministry of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in Tasmania
We come with the challenges of our future all around us. From climate and environmental challenges, to economic difficulty shared the world over. We come as part of the global village that tries and fails to live peacefully and protect those who are most at risk.
We come to name some of that which we understand as our calling, in a changing society.
We come to ponder together the shape of things to come, the possibilities that lie before us, and the ways in which together we might proclaim Jesus, embrace your Spirit, and live your way of love for the people of our communities.
We come as people who know we don’t have all the answers, but for whom the questions and the journey are important.
We come to worship, Spirit-God, not only by our words, but by our lives, not only by our thoughts, but by our actions.
May the things we see, hear, speak and do together today deepen our faith and inspire our life as people of God in greater Hobart. Amen
Later in the service, we used the following prayers:
Our prayers today invite us into reflection on who we are as a church looking forward. Our stories remind us that God’s future builds on the past and the present, honouring what has been by moving on the energy of God’s Spirit.
Each part begins with us asking together the question “How then shall we live…?”
“How then shall we live…?”
We shall live as people of hope, as people entrusted with a part in God’s future: in churches and agencies uniting in vision and purpose, and giving expression to these in diverse ways.
“How then shall we live…?”
We shall live in small groups and large communities, with hospitality and grace-filled conversation,
exploring faith and living faith together, growing as followers of Jesus in the life of the community around us.
“How then shall we live…?”
We shall live as best we can in our calling as Christian people, as wise and faithful stewards of life and stories,
of wealth and property: open to new opportunities, with vision and courage.
“How then shall we live…?”
We shall live with the reality of brokenness, but always believing it need not be the final word. Where there are barriers between us, where relationships are fractured, we will look for healing, and will work towards reconciliation.
“How then shall we live…?”
In the strength of your Spirit, God, may we be faithful and courageous. May we live with open eyes and ears, with open minds and imagination, with open hearts and hands.
“How then shall we live…?”
We shall live, as people called, blessed and sent out, in the way of Jesus. AMEN
