-
Nazareth Then and Now
Ancient Nazareth lacked the critical advantages for its development as a significant settlement: abundant water supply, an elevated site for defensive purposes, and strategic location adjacent to a major highway. The most comprehensive recent study of the archeology of ancient Nazareth and its local region was completed by Ken Dark over several seasons between 2004…
-
The oldest hatred
Presentation to a panel discussion sponsored by the Jewish Council of Australia at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane on Monday, 29 September 2025. The topic of the event was: Should anti-Semitism be exceptionalised or should we combat all forms of racism together? Co-hosts for the event included: Doykeit (a local Jewish group in Brisbane), St John’s…
-
Through resurrection eyes
16 April 2017 Easter Eucharist St Pauls’ Church, Byron Bay THIS past week we have walked the road to Calvary: Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday Today we begin our Easter celebrations. They will stretch through the next 50 days. Long after the shops have removed the hot cross buns—along with the ANZAC biscuits…
-
None left behind
15 April 2017 Easter Eve Vigil Eucharist St Oswald’s Church, Broken Head TONIGHT we begin our Easter celebrations. they will stretch through the next 50 days. This ‘week of weeks’ is a symbol of prophetic fulfilment and cosmic abundance, with roots going deep back in time to the annual grain harvest in Palestine. As a vigil…
-
Christ has died
Good Friday 14 April 2017 Byron Bay Today we gather to commemorate the death of Jesus: most likely on Friday, 7 April 0030. We are not re-enacting the crucifixion, but we are remembering that tragic event and reflecting on its significance. Christ has died We are familiar with this affirmation that occurs in…
-
Breaking bread, sharing a cup
Maundy Thursday 13 April 2017 Byron Bay A small group of people are gathered in an upstairs room in a modest house on the Western Hill of Jerusalem. It is Passover time in Jerusalem and the Holy City is full of pilgrims. When In the local imperial calendar it was the sixteenth year of Emperor…
-
Different drum beats
Palm Sunday (Year A) St Paul’s Anglican Church, Byron Bay 9 April 2017 Well, here we are … With Christians around the world, we mark the beginning of Holy Week with the beautiful liturgy of the palms and at least a short procession. This is a different kind of service. It can be a bit…
-
Turning towards the cross
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A) St Paul’s Church, Byron Bay St Oswald’s Church, Ewingsdale Today we enter the holiest period of the Christian year. In a week’s time we begin Holy Week, but today—a week out from Palm Sunday—we turn ourselves towards the cross. As Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke…
