Masks and Social Distancing in Church
In Victoria it is mandatory to carry a mask with you at all times and recommended to wear it when indoors when social distancing of 1.5m is not possible, and to leave the space of a ‘seat’ between you and anyone who is not of your household.
Masks are to be be worn for congregational singing.
We also strongly suggest anyone who has been to any of of the various places identified by the DHHS via the link HERE, or is feeling in any way unwell,
be discouraged from attending our services.
In Victoria it is mandatory to carry a mask with you at all times and recommended to wear it when indoors when social distancing of 1.5m is not possible, and to leave the space of a ‘seat’ between you and anyone who is not of your household.
Masks are to be be worn for congregational singing.
We also strongly suggest anyone who has been to any of of the various places identified by the DHHS via the link HERE, or is feeling in any way unwell,
be discouraged from attending our services.
Our Services
Sundays @ 9.30am Holy Communion — Main Church
Wednesdays @ 10.30am Said (short) Communion — Historic Church
18 April - 3rd Sunday of the Month @ 5pm — OPEN SPACE
OPEN SPACE theme this month is Christ Among Us — Main Church
Sundays @ 9.30am Holy Communion — Main Church
Wednesdays @ 10.30am Said (short) Communion — Historic Church
18 April - 3rd Sunday of the Month @ 5pm — OPEN SPACE
OPEN SPACE theme this month is Christ Among Us — Main Church
Vicar's Easter Reflection --
— Whom are YOU looking for?
Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?' John 20:15a
In John’s gospel there are some poignant questions Jesus asks those he encounters like:
What are you looking for?
Do you want to be made well?
Do you wish to go away?
Do you believe …?
Why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?
These last two are asked of Mary as she weeps outside the tomb, mourning the loss of Jesus. Hearing the questions, she turns and sees a man she supposes is a gardener. It is Jesus himself, but she does not recognise him. A common theme running through many of the resurrection stories, is of Jesus being unrecognisable, perhaps that is fair enough when his death was so horrifically drawn out and public. Yet, in some of the appearances it is suggested that God has veiled their eyes for the moment, perhaps waiting for the response to ‘Whom are you looking for?’
At the start of this gospel, Jesus asks a similar question of two disciples of John the Baptist who start to follow him, ‘What are you looking for?’
John’s gospel also has strong themes of darkness and light.
The journey of faith often starts in darkness and will travel through more periods of darkness in seeking the true light of life. This journey often grapples with questions like, why we are weeping, and for what and whom we are seeking?
Who is asking these questions?
The Christian faith believes these questions come from God, and the reason for them is to draw us toward the light. The gospels tell the story of Jesus and his disciples, the latter struggling with their conception of the world and of God, and questioning the revelation of Jesus as they travel with him to the cross. Was ‘whom they were looking for’ the one who hung on the cross?
We need help along the way with these questions, and we are given it.
Finally, Mary hears this ‘gardener’ call her name, ‘Mary!’ And as she turns a second time toward him, she recognises her Lord and Teacher. Her tears are turned to joy, and she returns to the other disciples to say, 'I have SEEN the Lord!'
It strikes me that on that first Easter Day, everyone did not just wake up from a bad dream. It was still dark, and they had to grope their way out of it, struggling with their questions, and ridding themselves of false ideas, prejudices, doubts and fears.
Whom are YOU looking for?
Over this Easter season, you might like to take each of these questions of Jesus into prayer,
and may
God be with you.
Jennie.
— Whom are YOU looking for?
Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?' John 20:15a
In John’s gospel there are some poignant questions Jesus asks those he encounters like:
What are you looking for?
Do you want to be made well?
Do you wish to go away?
Do you believe …?
Why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?
These last two are asked of Mary as she weeps outside the tomb, mourning the loss of Jesus. Hearing the questions, she turns and sees a man she supposes is a gardener. It is Jesus himself, but she does not recognise him. A common theme running through many of the resurrection stories, is of Jesus being unrecognisable, perhaps that is fair enough when his death was so horrifically drawn out and public. Yet, in some of the appearances it is suggested that God has veiled their eyes for the moment, perhaps waiting for the response to ‘Whom are you looking for?’
At the start of this gospel, Jesus asks a similar question of two disciples of John the Baptist who start to follow him, ‘What are you looking for?’
John’s gospel also has strong themes of darkness and light.
The journey of faith often starts in darkness and will travel through more periods of darkness in seeking the true light of life. This journey often grapples with questions like, why we are weeping, and for what and whom we are seeking?
Who is asking these questions?
The Christian faith believes these questions come from God, and the reason for them is to draw us toward the light. The gospels tell the story of Jesus and his disciples, the latter struggling with their conception of the world and of God, and questioning the revelation of Jesus as they travel with him to the cross. Was ‘whom they were looking for’ the one who hung on the cross?
We need help along the way with these questions, and we are given it.
Finally, Mary hears this ‘gardener’ call her name, ‘Mary!’ And as she turns a second time toward him, she recognises her Lord and Teacher. Her tears are turned to joy, and she returns to the other disciples to say, 'I have SEEN the Lord!'
It strikes me that on that first Easter Day, everyone did not just wake up from a bad dream. It was still dark, and they had to grope their way out of it, struggling with their questions, and ridding themselves of false ideas, prejudices, doubts and fears.
Whom are YOU looking for?
Over this Easter season, you might like to take each of these questions of Jesus into prayer,
and may
God be with you.
Jennie.
