HOMILY: In the early centuries, the church developed a liturgy of exorcism as part of baptism. Candidates for baptism were questioned by the bishop, and the key question was: “Are you living your life under the fear of Rome/Empire, or are you turning toward the joy of Jesus?” A sign of the cross was then made upon the ears and eyes of a candidate, against the reinvasion of fearful forces.
South Sydney Uniting Church is going through a time of change. Andrew is finishing his placement with us, there will be major repairs at the church in 2024, and we are starting to explore possible partnerships with other congregations. Understanding the gifts and skills of our leaders will be helpful at this time, to assist us in our discernment for the future.
The Rev. Ben Gilmour, Director of the Vital Leadership Team with the Uniting Church Synod of NSW/ACT, will work with us in February to assess and understand our individual and collective leadership strengths. We will use a tool called the Clifton Strengths Inventory. To read about another Uniting Church’s experience of doing this with Ben, see this article in Insights magazine.
The Clifton Strengths Inventory is an assessment of leadership strengths that help people work together to accomplish goals.
There is value in doing the leadership assessment not only for SSUC collectively, but also for us individually, to learn more about our gifts.
To take part, please see Miriam or Greg.
1. Please let Miriam or Greg know by February 7 that you would like to participate.
They will need to give your name and email address to a Vital Leadership Team member so that you can be sent the link to do the Clifton Strengths assessment. You can let them know in person, by phone or email, or via the church contact form.
2. Do the Clifton Strengths assessment.
The assessment takes about 1 hour. We do it online, in our own time, at our own convenience, ahead of the online introduction session (3). You will be emailed a link to do it.
3. Online introduction session on Zoom, led by Ben, Thursday 15 February 7pm-8:30pm.
Ben will introduce us to strengths-based approaches and the Clifton Strengths. Includes a theological introduction. The session will be recorded on Zoom for those who can’t make it.
4. Face-to-face workshop at the church, led by Ben, Sunday 25 February 11:30am-1:30pm.
Ben will workshop our “leadership team’s strengths culture” with us. We will look at a map of our strengths taken together – not just our individual strengths – and how we can harness them. This session will not be recorded – please attend in person. Ben will also preach at our service that day.
HOMILY: Today is the first Sunday of our new year, 2024. We are also at the beginning of the season of Epiphany. For many of us this is the weekend to put away our mangers and take down our Christmas trees (if we remember).
HOMILY: The figure of Anna (Hannah [see 1 Samuel]) is striking. Scholars surmise she is from a family of exiles (the northern tribe of Asher), scattered yet steeped in the traditions of Israel; steeped in the hopes of her people and culture. She expresses her love for Jerusalem, the Torah and the Temple in her continual worship at the Temple complex.
NEWS: See what’s happening at SSUC in January …
HOMILY: Our traditional reading for Christmas Day is taken from the first chapter of John’s gospel: “The Word became flesh …” We might think on it this way. A word becomes flesh when we really mean it and put it into practice. A word or value becomes flesh when it aligns with the life of a person or community.
HOMILY: Today we are reflecting on love. It is the fourth Sunday and the last Sunday in the season of Advent.
HOMILY: Today we are reflecting on joy. It is Gaudete Sunday in the season of Advent. Joy. An ancient word with a deep tradition. We’ve remembered the shepherds who receive the announcement of joy from angels, we’ve lit a pink candle. Our bible readings point us towards joy and speak of it as a discipline …
HOMILY: In the course of his preaching, John said, “One more powerful than I is to come after me …”
HOMILY: Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. The Latin word means “arrival” or “coming”. On one level, we know that we will celebrate Christmas in a little under four weeks’ time. On another level, this can be a surprising event – for adventurous hands, hearts and minds. Faith is adventure.
