Alison and the whale

Isaiah | The politics of love

Love in a troubled world: what does it look like? And what does it not?
Reflecting on Isaiah 42:1-9 and Philippians 2:5-11, West Preston Baptist Church, 15 December 2024.

Luke | Where God's word comes

God's word comes to the one who relinquishes privilege and works for justice.
Shared with Westgate Baptist on 8 December 2024, reflecting on Luke 3:1-6

John | Revelation at Armageddon

Military violence never ends, but Jesus’ way leads to a true and lasting peace.
Shared with Coburg Uniting Church on 24 November 2024, reflecting on John 18:33-37 (Christ the King).

Mark | The widow's gift

In a nation struggling with the legacies of Christendom, the widow’s gift offers a way forward.
Shared with Rosanna Baptist on 10 November 2024, reflecting on Mark 12:38-13:2.

Job | On suffering and shimmering joy

Suffering is indiscriminate, but so is joy.
A personal story, a bit of commentary, and some invitations.
Shared with Coburg Uniting on 13 October 2024.

Genesis | The teacher trees

An invitation to connect with the earth.
Shared with Rosanna Baptist on 6 October 2024, reflecting on Genesis 18:1-15.

Corinthians | Without friction no shine

Church isn’t about living a sheltered or peaceful life, nor is it about ignoring or erasing the differences in the room.
A reflection shared with Brunswick Baptist Church on 22 September 2024.

Psalms | Written in the stars

An Anangu-Pitjantjatjara-Yankunytjatjara story collides with a Hebrew Psalm flowing through a Cornishwoman who was born in the colony and learned about the APY story at art galleries built on Wurundjeri land. Paintings, stories, animations and interviews from a major exhibition here.
Senior Law Women and AṈANGU Dancers from the APY Lands slowly unfold the story here with gentle good humour
Wirangu women Susie Betts and cultural knowledge keeper Veda Betts tell a third version here, linking it to stories told around the world
Explore, learn, be fed, enjoy ... and share the story!

Mark, Isaiah | Finding her voice

A friend encouraged me to re-preach an oldie on the Syro-Phoenician woman. But you can never quite do the same thing twice. So here’s the oldie, updated to reflect recent news events and some fresh weirdness in my life. Given to Coburg Uniting Church Sunday 8 September 2024.

Revelation | So much better than you think!

Revelation can be read to judge and exclude ... but what if it's not like that? A reflection by Alison Sampson on Revelation 6:1-8:1 given to the Vietnamese Evangelical Church of Australia (English speaking congregation) on 28 July 2024 © Alison Sampson 2024.