How to respond to Christchurch
Last Friday afternoon, I came across the horrific news from Christchurch, where two shootings saw at least fifty people murdered… and all by the hands of an Aussie.
I watched as thousands of Australians spoke up and responded to the tragedy, laying flowers in mosques and showing support for our neighbours in Christchurch.
However, I was left wondering about the best way to respond to this tragedy.
I read an article by Samuel Green and he had three helpful reflections.
Firstly, it’s important to address the seriousness of the issue.
This was an act of pure evil and we cannot excuse or justify it in any way: this mass murder was driven by racism alone.
However, we know all people are created in the image of God, and that Jesus’ death was for all people who turn to him in repentance.
This leaves us with no excuse for any acts or thoughts driven by racism.
Secondly, we want to reach out to the Muslim community and assure them of our love and support.
This is a great time to meet with our Muslim friends and listen to their concerns and worries.
We can attend community events standing against these acts of violence as people who promote peace, just like our Saviour Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Finally, we can be praying.
As the families of the victims mourn their losses and the family of the shooter grapples with this tragedy, we can pray that God would be glorified, and that through this horrific event, the good news of Jesus would be spread.
Despite the sinfulness and cowardly acts of violence in our world, God still rules as king, and remains in control.
We have a God in whom we can bring all our worries to and trust in him alone.
JEMIMAH McNEILL
Coming up this weekend 23-24 March 2019
Quite a few people have mentioned that they’ve been coming to church for decades and they’ve never before heard a talk series on sex and the Song of Songs. This has meant we’ve had lots to think about and talk about as we’ve met for dinner or coffee after church. We’d love you to come along and be a part of this challenging discussion by joining us for the talk ‘True Sex is Secure’.
In particular, we’re going to be addressing some of the things that happen when the secure bonds of sex are broken. We’ll be looking at issues of rejection and abuse in relationships, and this will lead us to explore just where God is in the midst of these kinds of horrible things in life.
As part of our regular church services, we also have a question and answer time, and these are the questions I’ll be answering that you asked last weekend:
- Is it wise and helpful for Christians to visit mosques to show support after the Christchurch massacre?
- In the Song of Songs, the woman’s virginity was attractive to the man, but what about the man’s virginity?
- What advice should we give to a Christian man whose wife withholds sex from him?
- What does ‘abundant’ praise mean in the context of Song of Songs?
- What was your most romantic gesture to Mandy?
- If we sing old words in church then won’t visitors think that God is out of date?
- Shouldn’t Christians avoid non-spiritual Yoga classes because its origin is in Hinduism?
So, come along and join us either at 5pm Saturday (with kids and youth programs, and dinner for all straight after church), or 9am Sunday (with espresso over morning tea). Nearly every week we welcome someone new to our church, so if you just want to pop in and check us out then you’ll be very welcome.
Grace and peace, Jodie.
© Copyright - Jamberoo Anglican - Wordpress Theme by Kriesi