South Sydney Uniting Church is ecumenical (e.g. supporting the National and World Council of Churches) and inclusive,
affirming the gifts of people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations and identities. We seek peace with justice,
and the integrity of creation. We celebrate a service of Word and Sacrament (Eucharist) each Sunday at 10am.

"We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land: the Gadigal people of the Eora nation."

56a Raglan Street
Waterloo NSW 2017
Phone/Fax: 02 9319 1373

Map

Rev. Andrew Collis
Mobile: 0438 719 470

All Welcome
The church, hall and garden are accessible by way of paths and ramps. The toilets, sinks and shower, located in the hall, are wheelchair accessible. Please ask if further assistance is required.

The Orchard Gallery (artist run space) invites applications for exhibitions

Local healthy food. Subscribe & Pick Up Right Here At The Church
Tuesdays 5:30-6.30pm.

The South Sydney Herald Independent Newspaper

Donations in support
of our ministries are gratefully received
UCA South Sydney
BSB: 634 634
Acc: 100048727

Church and hall bookings
On Sundays, the church, hall and garden are used exclusively for the worship and ministry activities of South Sydney Uniting Church. From Monday to Saturday we offer our church and hall for the use of others. Read More

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, worship services, in-person gatherings, and uses of our church by external groups are suspended. Please be assured of our commitment to maintaining connection across distance, adapting to safety restrictions, providing pastoral care for people experiencing anxiety, danger or fear, and expressing kindness in new ways.  Read More

Homily
Ordinary Sunday 14, Year A
South Sydney Uniting Church
July 5, 2020

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

‘Soulful rest’

Today’s gospel – good news for the anawim or “have-nots” (11:5) – invites a number of responses. We might respond to the image of the yoke, a farming implement for working cattle, a symbol of Wisdom/torah/teaching. We might respond to the image of Messiah as co-worker. We might respond to the theme of rest or sabbath, by way of comparing/contrasting Jesus and John the Baptist, Jesus and the overtly religious, penitential and self-righteous community. God be with you …

To yoke is to join, to join forces. The gospel assumes there is work to do; there are wise and foolish ways to work.

According to Matthew, chapters 11 and 12, the work entails healing and liberation; resisting destructive forces; discerning Wisdom and kinship amid irreverence/disrespect.

Perhaps the most foolish way to work, it would follow, is alone (separate from others, neglectful, disdainful, resentful …).

We might think of supplementary images. Walking and working side by side. Musical collaboration and improvisation. Spiritual and bodily exercises (the word “yoke” is related to the word “yoga”). Welcoming the other (human and non-human) in and through whom divine assurance speaks. Receiving the other (human and non-human) who enables prayer and ethical practice.

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