Crosslight - Edition April 2020

Animal passion
Rev Barbara Allen
Brighton East
I agree with Vernon Terrill’s letter that
veganism can teach Christians ways to
care for God’s creation.
Christians try to live ethical lives, but
when it comes to food choices, many
prefer not to think about it. Veganism is
committed to a cause, and its adherents,
for the most part, are passionate about
it, ready to talk about it, willing to live
ethical lives, even abstaining from
products they may have enjoyed.
Service enquiries
Alan Ray
Mont Albert
Rev Rose Broadstock’s article Consider
This (February, Crosslight) raises
far-reaching questions on what is
worship – not only for small, struggling
churches in the Loddon Mallee
Presbytery, but also for most of us who
have to respond to our neighbours’
assertions that they no longer attend
church because they are “spiritual, but
not religious”.
Many modes, time changes and
locations of worship have been
trialled: Messy Church, Taize-style
meditations, labyrinths, Hillsong
choruses, cafe gatherings for
discussions, or midweek meetings.
Sometimes large sums of money have
been spent on electronic technology
to enhance and modernise the
I wonder if, as Christians, we are
losing some of our “passion”? Are we
still excited about the Christ whom we
follow? Are we in love with our cause,
our commitment? Or are we becoming
luke warm?
Let’s uncover our passion, following
Christ, who calls us to minister together,
to make God’s world a place of justice for
all. To quote Anna Sewell, writer of Black
Beauty: “There is no religion without
love, and people may talk as much as
they like about their religion, but if it
does not teach them to be good and kind
to man and beast, it is all a sham.” ●
experience in the hope of attracting
those who now sip lattes on Sunday
mornings.
Every parish wants the silver bullet
which will guarantee vibrant worship
and fills their pews.
I would be interested in discovering
what other Christian communities are
experimenting with in their ministry
and what they find effective. ●
Creed cred?
Bill Norquay
(on behalf of the Glen Waverley UC
Friday discussion group)
We read with interest Paul Blacker’s
letter on “Creeds” (February, Crosslight).
Our discussion group does not accept
the virgin birth and many other aspects
of this ancient writing. We accept we
are branded “heretics” because we
dare to question religious (not just
Uniting Church or Christian) dogma
and doctrine, but we have to look back
to when the Nicean Creed was written
(almost 1700 years ago and 1200 years
before Galileo was imprisoned for
suggesting the Earth was not the centre
of the universe).
The texts were written in an attempt to
bring together the varying and warring
factions of the church and, in doing so,
brand any dissenters as heretics.
Part of Nicea was also the rewriting of
the gospels and rejection of many great
writings. In the 50 years after Nicea,
the Christian church went from the
oppressed to the oppressor, culminating
in the dreaded inquisition.
Unfortunately, acceptance of this
Creed is part of the membership of the
World Council of Churches, but we do
not need these creeds or dogmas. The
real message of Jesus is how we should
live and treat each other. Reciting creeds
may give us a nice warm feeling, but the
universe shows a creation beyond all of
our understanding.
●
We want to hear from you.
Email your thoughts to
crosslight@victas.uca.org.au.
Do not exceed 200 words and include your
full name, address and contact phone number.
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