Jesus Stories

One of the hardest things about life in 2020 is getting perspective. Everyone and everything seem to have been holding its breath as we’ve experienced and ongoing series of “unprecedented” events: bushfires, pandemics, global…

a tiny advent hope

Advent/ adv(e)nt/ noun The arrival of a notable person or thing. The first season in the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. Christian Theology: the coming or second coming of Christ   Well…
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A church of gratitude

We spend much of our time here at Hope, exploring and teasing and playing with the Gospel narratives of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Like every church, indeed every Christian, we have our favourite sections of the Bible. The ones…

Christmas - the "Season of Belonging"

Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of South Africa and human rights activist, once said,” a person is a person through other persons”.  Having a sense of belonging is crucial to our sense of self. Often we define ourselves through…
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Resurrection and Mary (John 20:1-18)

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.” – John 20:11   It felt like an ending It seemed like failure Even her grief was being denied as the body was now gone.   She stands as witness in her tears She stands…
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Peter and my failure

Peter in the courtyard is perhaps the centre of the discipleship journey for me. Certainly, Jesus upon the cross remains the mystical heart of faith – central to the mystery and passion of divine reconciliation. But for my own journey in seeking…

You believe what?

What do you believe about Jesus? Even writing these words sounds like an invitation to a theological conference. But rather than asking what theories or ideas I might hold, the question bouncing around in my head is “in what ways does my…

Sunday Recap (John 1:19-28)

“Who are you?” the people come to ask John. In response John points them towards the One who will make all things new: Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Who is this Christ, already among them? The light…

An inclusive church?

Anyone is welcome to come to church. Anyone is welcome to come to our church at Hope. Black, white, Tongan, Korean, Anglo, student, retired, gay, bi, straight, depressed, confused, excited, addicted, uncertain, young, old, child (actual…