Alister's Blog
If you are interested in reading more about Cafehchurch-y stuff, you might find our pastor Alister's blog interesting. Rather unimaginatively, it is at alisterpate.com
He is particularly proud of
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Cafechurch, Faith, and Mystery
In a segment filmed for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN channel, author Brene Brown reflects on why she left the Roman Catholic faith of her youth, and how she has found herself back in the Episcopal church.
One of the key points she makes is that she originally “fell in love with the faith and the mystery piece.” However, over time her experience of church, “became less about faith and mystery, and more about politics and certainty.”
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Season of Creation
In September, many churches mark the Season of Creation. We at Cafechurch are alive to the theological and practical implications of the environment, even under COVID19 restrictions. So, this week, 22/9/20, Anne will be leading us in a reflective session on God's care for creation.
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Desire
“It isn't normal to know what we want. It is a rare and difficult psychological achievement.”
Abraham Harold Maslow
Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
St Augustine of Hippo C.4th.
What do you really want? Underneath the ebb and flow of momentary likes and dislikes, beneath the desires that advertising implants in you, behind the facade of your false self, in your centre - what is it that you really want?
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Wine and Grace
This week we're going to look at a reading which includes two of my favourite things: wine, and grace. Well, not wine, but vineyards - close enough imho. And is it about grace - or about the dangers of resentment? Or maybe both? And it also gives me a chance to tell perhaps my favourite dad joke: I love hard work, I can stand around and watch it all day!
Join us as we engage Matthew 20:1-16.
Join us by Zoom on Tuesday 15/9/20 at 7pm - hit me up on Zoom for an invite.
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On Taking Up One's Cross
If it were up to me, I would probably pass on Jesus' suggestion about taking up one's cross and following. Couldn't I just opt for a less demanding, more enjoyable life? The idea that following Jesus is so tough that it can only be described as being like carrying your instrument of execution to an imminent, humiliating, and excruciating death is a bit of a hard sell IMHO. However: What if there is no avoiding crosses? What if the real question is: you're going to get a cross - what are you going to do about it?
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Who do you say that I am?
And you, Jesus asked his disciples. Who do you say that I am? It's the big question of Christian faith. It's where the rubber hits the road. Who is God calling you to be? What is God calling you to become?
Join us for Caravan - our contemplative Eucharist - on Tuesday 25/8 at 7pm via Zoom - as we engage this most provocative of questions through song, contemplative exercise, and food for the journey.
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Who do you say that I am?
Who is Jesus? And who are we - as individuals, but also as a church? Always good questions, but they seem particularly relevant to Cafechurch as it works out how to be the Northcote Uniting Church
As always, join us over Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday 18/8 to engage the Scripture, and to reflect on our identity and call.
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The Faith of the Canaaite Woman
Jesus answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."
The woman said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15: 21-28
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Would you leave the boat?
And after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea... Matthew 14:23-25
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