Epiphany 2
Sermon 19.01.20 The Right Reverend Cameron Venables
There is a beautiful poem that I had on the wall of my study for some years which reads, ‘Çhrist has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours, Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which he is to bless people now.’ The words are attributed to the sixteenth century saint and mystic Teresa of Avila, who was a Spanish Carmelite nun……..
The Baptism of our Lord
Sermon 12.01.20 The Right Reverend Cameron Venables
One of the really great things about living in Toowoomba is the opportunity to become friends with people from many different parts of the world. Women and men who have come to Australia as migrants or refuges and who now call Australia home. As life is shared together you get to hear what it was like growing up in different places, and often they describe a context very different to my own.
Christmas 2
Sermon 05.01.20 The Right Reverend Cameron Venables
Good morning friends and happy New Year! But, what a tough start to this year. The news this past week has been dominated by the stark reality of bush fires impacting upon the lives of Australian people and communities. In previous years I remember fires impacting one State or another, but this current season seems to be without precedent with fires simultaneously burning in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia……..
Christmas 1
Sermon 29.12.19 The Right Reverend Cameron Venables
I reckon most of us respond better to the stories of individual people rather than the statistics which give analysis of situations being faced by groups. World Vision’s child sponsorship program connects well with this insight because it invites us to sponsor Miguel in Guatemala rather than the whole village he lives in. The money will certainly make a difference in Miguel’s life, and the life of his family, because health care, education, and employment opportunities will be greatly improved. But, sponsors will not learn about falling infant mortality rates, or improving literacy… each year they will instead learn about Miguel’s developing love of soccer!……..