Reflections on faith and discipleship from Alison, pastor at Sanctuary Warrnambool. Sanctuary is an emerging church with Baptist connections.
Our world eats people alive: it's how we try to build community. Jesus offers a different way.
A reflection on John 6:51-58, given to Sanctuary, 19 August 2018 (Year B Proper 15, BP15).
Paul's letter to the Ephesians has much wisdom for a young church approaching its annual review.
A reflection on Ephesians 4:1-16 given to Sanctuary, 5 August 2018 (Year B Proper 13, BP13).
The disciples have returned from preaching and healing around the villages; in the face of people’s need, they have barely had time to eat. So Jesus invites them to come away to a deserted place and rest awhile. Yet the crowd guesses where they’re going, and meets them there. When Jesus sees the mob, his guts wrench with compassion, and he begins to teach and heal once more …
A reflection on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 given to Sanctuary, 22 July 2018 (Year B Proper 11, BP11).
Tonight we reflect on a story from the second scroll of Samuel, when King David dances ecstatically in the street in a holy apron. He is heading up a procession of priests and soldiers and musicians, bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city. It’s like Mardi Gras; but when his wife sees him, she is filled with scorn …
A reflection on 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 14-22 given to Sanctuary, 15 July 2018 (Year B Proper 10).
Jesus is asked to heal a twelve-year-old girl, the daughter of a big shot in town. But his journey to the house is interrupted when a woman who has been haemorrhaging for twelve years sneaks into the crowd, and touches him.
A re-telling of Mark 5:21-43 given to Sanctuary, 1 July 2018 (Year B Proper 
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Tonight we reflect on a story in the gospel of Mark, when a man with a withered hand reaches out to Jesus and is healed. Yet it’s the Sabbath, and so the Pharisees go ballistic. But first, we'll hear a different story: a story about neighbours ...
A reflection on Mark 2:23-3:6 given to Sanctuary, 3 June 2018 (BP04)
For many, Mothers Day is a day of absence. How might the ancient story of the Ascension speak to those who are grieving now?
A reflection on Acts 1:1-10 given to Sanctuary for Mothers Day/Ascension, 13 May 2018.
Jewish Peter found himself eating with Gentiles; who are we called to eat with now?
A reflection on Acts 10 given to Sanctuary, 6 May 2018.
The Ethiopian eunuch is cut off in every way. What invitation does this story hold for those cut off from our churches now?
A reflection on Acts 8:26-40 and Isaiah 56 given to Sanctuary, 29 April 2018.
Reading the Bible responsibly means reading in the way of Jesus.
A reflection on Luke 24:36-48 given to Sanctuary, 15 April 2018 (B34).
