Toorak Uniting Church – Update – Pentecost 21

18 October 2015

Wolfgang’s Still Thinking – Progressive Christianity in a nutshell
After the death of my friend and mentor Marcus J. Borg earlier this year I have been thinking about how important it is to continue to educate Christians of all stripes, young and old, lay and clergy, to find their own way of believing that includes and embraces their intelligence, their knowledge of modern science, and their contemporary cultural experiences. I strongly believe that this is the only way for the church in general, to survive and to be an important factor of the future.

There is no progressive doctrine, progressives have similar but not exactly alike ways of thinking and believing. So here is a short summary of my "progressive Christianity:"

• The Bible is the central document of our faith. We don’t read it literally, and we don’t think it is inerrant or infallible. We read the Bible historically and metaphorically, which means we try to understand it as much as possible in its original context before we look for interpretations(!) for our time.
• Christian faith cannot be understood without its close links to Judaism. After all, Jesus and all his early followers were Jews.
• God is creator of everything, including "Big Bang", evolution, and so on. There is no contradiction between faith and science.
• God is not at all an "old man in the sky," God is the one "in whom we live, move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28) God is always present in all of life.
• Jesus was a human being, who was very mature spiritually, very "God-intoxicated," and he lived his life out of this close relationship with the Divine. Jesus showed us a non-violent way of resistance to empire. The Romans killed him, because they saw him as a threat to their imperial order.
• Jesus did not have to pay a price for our wrongdoings to please God, because God is love, God loves us, and God does not need any payment. Salvation is participation in living this Divine love and building the "kingdom of God" (what the world would be like if God was ruler).
• Christianity is one way of spiritual connection with the Sacred, but not the only one. Christians can also learn from other world religions like Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.
• Because God loves all people (and Jesus gave us a lot of examples what that can mean practically), we are called to love all people, no matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation, or social status are. Progressive Christians are good neighbours, and not racist, sexist, or homophobic. Neither are they gun lovers.

Wolfgang

Welcome to Toorak Uniting Church

Diary Dates

Meeting of the Congregation
There will be a meeting of the congregation on Sunday 1 November immediately after the 10.15 service. The agenda is to adopt the budget for 2016, to appoint Peter Corrigan FCA as auditor for 2016 and to appoint Patricia Begg and Alison Legge as our representatives on Presbytery for 2016. Copies of the budget are available at the rear of the church today and from the office during the week.

Toorak Spring – Virginia Davey Concert Series 2015

Lady White Organ Recital – Dong-ill Shin
Sunday, 18^th October, 2pm

Program includes works by:

J. P. Sweelinck
D. Buxtehude
J. S. Bach
W. A. Mozart

Roach Ministerial Exchange
The Roach Exchange provides a wonderful opportunity for our congregation to experience a minister from a different country and tradition. The Messiah Community Church in Denver is well established and well attended with similar worship and activities to TUC. It is a church in the Lutheran tradition and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) – a progressive denomination in a traditional environment.

Sundays after the 10:15 service

11:30 am – Coffee with Discussion with Wolfgang Stahlberg.

Tuesday, 20 October

10:00am – Conversation with Wolfgang Stahlberg.

Sunday, 25 October

11:30am – Farewell morning tea for Stahlbergs.

Church Fundraising stall
Sunday, 15 November, 9:30-12:00. Donations of cakes and produce essential! Contact Lyn McA or Lenore N.

Share’s 2015 Christmas card range is now available.
Each pack of 10 cards is only $8.50.
A mixed pack of 10 cards, containing two of each card, is also available.
To order call 1800 668 426.
Sample cards on display in the office.
Postage and handling charge: $7.50-10.00.

News from Kinross Arts & Spirituality Centre

Thursday, 29 October 6:30 to 9pm

Boutique Concert – Fiona Ross Scottish vocalist, Fiona Ross will perform at Kinross Arts Centre with Scottish fiddle player, Colin MacLeod. A native of Glasgow Fiona Ross is respected in Scotland as a fine interpreter of Scots song. Fiona has charmed audiences worldwide with her engaging delivery, extensive repertoire and passion for the Scots song tradition. Kinross Arts Centre is delighted to present this unique Scottish event. Fiona will talk about the traditional songs she performs in a boutique concert setting. This will be a warm hearted fundraising evening and includes refreshments with a interval. Learn more about Fiona at: http://www.fionaross.com.au/ Tickets: $30 – Book online at www.trybooking.com/IZIK

Thursday, 17 September to Saturday, 31 October

Fiona Walshe Solo exhibition of paintings and ceramics. Fiona is a former member of the Stables Artist Co-operative.

Lectionary Readings for 25 October 2015, Pentecost 22
Job 42: 1 – 6, 10 – 17;     Psalm 34: 1 – 8;     Hebrews 7: 23 – 28;     Mark 10: 46 – 52.
The liturgical colour for Pentecost is green.

Lectionary Readings for 1 November 2015, All Saints Day
Isaiah 25: 6 – 9;     Psalm 24;     Revelation 21: 1 – 6a;     John 11: 32 – 44.
The liturgical colour for All Saints is white.

Lectionary Readings for 1 November 2015, Pentecost 23
Ruth 1: 1 – 18;     Psalm 146;     Hebrews 9: 11 – 14;     Mark 12: 28 – 34.
The liturgical colour for Pentecost is green.