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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…
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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…
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of back stories and afterlives
St John’s Cathedral, BrisbaneChoral Evensong20 August 2023 Of back stories and afterlives In a majestic edifice such as this Cathedral we are reminded that Christianity has a back story. As we participate in the beautiful liturgy of Choral Evensong, we are experiencing a form of worship that has sustained faith for hundreds of years and…
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On the Trinity at Trinity
Trinity SundayHoly Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley4 June 2023 IMAGE: Holy Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley, 8 January 2007. Photograph by DBHKer. [ video ] It has been a long time since I last stood in this pulpit! As I recall, it was in July 1989 when I came back to Brisbane—from Adelaide where I was teaching…
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A week later
Easter 2ASt Andrew’s Church, Lismore16 April 2023 [ video ] A week has passed. Last week the churches were abuzz with activity, beautiful flowers, fine music, the best robes, and as many candles as we could find. A week has passed. A week ago—as the Gospel of John tells the story—the disciples were surprised (freaked…
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When Easter is a verb
IMAGE: First-century rolling stone tomb below the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth, Nazareth. Photo by Gregory C. Jenks. Easter DaySt Andrew’s Church, Lismore9 April 2023 [ video ] What if Easter is a verb? I had been planning to shape today’s sermon around the idea of God saying YES to Jesus, as a kind…
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When Jesus said YES to God
Good FridaySt Andrew’s Church, Lismore7 April 2023 When Jesus said YES to God Today we face a brute fact: Jesus was killed by the empire. The people with privilege, power and position eliminated Jesus, because he posed an existential threat to their privilege, their power and their position. It was him or them. So it…
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Glimpsing the kingdom here among us
MaundyThursdaySt Andrew’s Church, Lismore6 April 2023 [ video ] IMAGE: Wikipedia Commons. Iglesia de Sant Jaume, Alcúdia, Mallorca, Spain Tonight our liturgy is closely connected with the services that will follow on Good Friday, Easter Eve and Easter Day. These are the great three days: the Easter triduum. This year I have the privilege of…
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