From Ororoo South Australia

 Friends travelling couldn't help but 'laugh out loud' at this one! It's been a while since I had a sign shared for posting and there's something about the very short sermon on the noticeboard!

But to me the inviting church frontage looked so warm and engaging!

   Willoughby UC and Rev Michael Thomas responding to the Fair Work Commission decision [pumped up by Government submissions and rhetoric] on reducing penalty rates for weekend work. On the decision itself, it's interesting to contrast the public reaction to the idea and then to the decision. In theory perhaps the majority were onboard, in reality it seems people have second thoughts and in the words of nameless Coalition MPs, they are "bleeding on this" issue.

   Essentially it's another example of an economy in need of major action to get the Government Budget under control where the poor are the easy target for cosmetic action, Instead of chasing a fair share of tax from business, investing in infrastructure to drive employment we have ramped up 'crack downs' on benefits and reduced penalty rates for hospitality and service workers.

   The cost will be felt through this mindless response to the 'demand' for 24/7 shopping and coffee... when in reality people may grumble about a surcharge on cafe food and beverages but at the end of the day they do understand that someone with a family is working on Sunday to provide their experiences and sustenance... not to mention sabbath time off to make space for God!!

Ketchup with this one

Oh dear, not all publicity is good publicity after all!!

Gungal Catholic Church circa 2011

Happy Christmas everyone...

This would look pretty good in a rural setting at night!! It's the lack of corny words or crass slogan I like most... Thanks Cathy W for the photo...

Leonard Nimoy

A return to form for St John's Cooks Hill... Vale Leonard Nimoy!!

"Give Us a Sign" Campaign!!

   Well done Maitland Eastside and I've seen Hamilton 'onboard' as well, read about the campaign here. The idea is to post messages in support of asylum seekers and refugees and the issues arising, each Tuesday in LENT!! I like to think it's a lot better use of the space that crappy slogans about "knee mails" or "chrch" and about how all that's missing is "u"...

'Thin Places'

 
   From Gosford Anglican' noticeboard archive... how our contribution to and striving for social justice is a matter for what gifts and abilities we bring, how the communities we build are able to respond and where and how we find ourselves encountering need!! But it is definitely "not a passing fashion"!!
"Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God" much better than loving justice, doing mercy...
 

Topical Last Week and Last Year

   The story has it that Jesus was taken by Joseph and Mary to Egypt seeking asylum in part from Herod's dramatic response to claims of the birth of a new King. The 'Jesus was a refugee' connection to how the story might make sense today [hermeneutics] taps a significant discussion in this country today about the politics of our heartless response to 'boats' of asylum seeking refugees arriving her through Asia. Well done!!

'I see what you 'thought' would be clever there...' Hobart

Thanks to Julie P for this spotto in Hobart... how cool are we. we've got a website!!
St David's Cathedral in Hobart actually has a good clean, informative website with icontent and their programs include some interesting contemporary programs and missional initiatives...
   What would have been clever would have been how you could discover God's message connecting with their community of people as they encounter and live out of their understanding of the good book...

Gosford Anglican Church [An example arguing against my premis]

   I see church signs with in jokes, crappy attempts at humour, judgement, acting as if the 'wisdom' on them is vital to the passer by etc etc and all they do is confirm the impression of us being 'out of touch', midddle class, unauthentic hacks!! Keep sending me the examples that say I'm wrong!!

Gosford Anglican Church Goes Viral Global

Well this seems to have attracted some debate... it's not the only headline grabber from Gosford Anglican!!

Clever

   Thanks for the share Chris Lockley... this could be quite a clever campaign in a city, in the lead up to a new missional initiative in the community... when I have the headspace I might think about the follow up or additional signs!!

Good Advice!!

Thanks for this example Graham A
Good advice!!

Getting Hot and Cross about Buns

Facebook friends have been sharing Ken Day's post about the UCA noticeboard at Terrigal reflecting the appearance of 'Hot Cross Buns' in the supermarkets.I had noticed them in February in recent years but January is a classic expansion of the commercial cycle. It fits with AFL shaped chocolate eggs in August, Christmas foods in October etc etc... I like the slogan and the possibility it could start a conversation but I'm still uncomfortable about verbal engagements from a formerly well regarded institution that's now on the sidelines trying to offer commentary.. either way I wondered how we might 'act' differently to draw attention to whether hot cross buns are just part of what Valentine's Day and Australia Day offer retailers or is it a deeper symbol with it's own story. Is there some way communities of faith could react to their early sale to do good and have the conversation at the same time.... I wondered who could be helped in the community from questions being asked... aha!! Then from that authoritative source 'Wikipedia' "In many historically Christian countries, buns are traditionally eaten hot or toasted on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the Crucifixion. They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term "hot cross bun" was not until 1733. It is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon);[2] "Eostre" is probably the origin of the name "Easter". Others claim that the Greeks marked cakes with a cross, much earlier.[3] In the times of Elizabeth I of England (1592), the London Clerk of Markets issued a decree forbidding the sale of hot cross buns and other spiced breads, except at burials, on Good Friday, or at Christmas. The punishment for violation of the decree was forfeiture of all the forbidden product to the poor. As a result of this decree, hot cross buns at the time were primarily made in home kitchens. Further attempts to suppress the sale of these items took place during the reign of James I (1603-1625).[4] So what I'm wondering is.. What if lots of communities of faith bought quantities of hot cross buns from their local supermarket and gave them away as part of free meal programs, community helping agency efforts or even to residents of Unitingcare facilities... anything but giving them away with tracts or a lecture... fire a press release if you must but enjoy 'acting differently' and see what happens... whatever!!