On Tuesday 5th March we will take a close look at a subject that must be very familiar to everyone who’s not completely avoiding radio and TV newscasts.

 The war in Gaza and the subject of Israel and the Palestinians, especially Hamas, is 24/7 in the media.  Our March meeting, designed by Rev. Dr Lorraine Parkinson, will provide an opportunity to discuss and learn about why relations between Israel and the Palestinians are what they are in 2024. Three of our regular members (Pam Raff, Graeme of Morayfield and Martin Atkins) will speak about the historical aspects of the conflict, amply illustrated by pertinent video clips.  The presentations aim to give a balanced view of the circumstances from both sides of the conflict, and after each talk there will be time for discussion.

The session will commence at 6:30 p.m. in the Ocean Room, Redcliffe Uniting Church (cnr Anzac Ave and Richens St Redcliffe). There will be an opportunity during the presentation to break for light refreshments. Entry is free, but a small donation to offset costs would be appreciated.

All are welcome and encouraged to participate in a serious, respectful and stimulating conversation where all points of view are open for discussion.

If you’d like to know more about the Redcliffe Explorers, please contact the convenor by calling or texting on 0401 513 723.

Peace,

Ian

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Thanks to PCNV for drawing our attention to this Webinar from Pax Christi Victoria.

This may be of interest to you.

Pax Christi Victoria Webinar
Military Security or Human Security?
A Vision for Australia today

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Redcliffe Explorers

Dear fellow Explorers

The first important message is that this year the Redcliffe group will be meeting on the first TUESDAY of the month (not Monday), but still at the same place and time.

Our first gathering for the year, on 6 February, will focus on our (humanity’s) place in the universe, what that means to us, and how our understanding of the cosmological significance of Homo sapiens has changed since the Enlightenment. We’ll be viewing the Symphonic Odyssey with Professor Brian Cox, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra providing a stimulating and reflective accompaniment to many staggeringly beautiful images of planets, stars, galaxies and galactic clusters from various space missions and orbiting telescopes. We hope you can come and share this experience with us, and join in some deep discussion about the big questions common to all the world’s religions.

The viewing will start at 6.30pm p.m. and we’ll have a refreshment break mid-session. As usual we’ll meet in the Ocean Room at the Redcliffe Uniting Church (cnr Anzac Ave and Riches St, Redcliffe) where there’s plenty of off-street parking. There is no charge, but a small donation to help cover costs will be greatly appreciated.

Cosmologist Brian Cox joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a unique concert to explore universal matter and meaning.

Brian Cox OBE, Professor of Particle Physics at The University of Manchester, discusses how, having formulated a theory of gravity, Albert Einstein set about applying it to the evolution of the universe. “Actually, in 1917 we didn’t even know there were galaxies beyond the Milky Way”, Cox explains, “so it’s a huge intellectual leap.” Ultimately, Einstein was conflicted by his findings that the universe is always in a constant state of flux, “because Einstein had a philosophical predisposition, if you like, for an eternal universe.” However, the mounting evidence, photographic and otherwise, that has been gathered over the last century suggests otherwise.

Cox points out that we have to consider that not only are we the only civilization in the universe, but that also eventually we shall collectively cease to be. “So not withstanding that this is a tiny, fragile place, and will not be here forever, it may be an extremely valuable place; indeed, the only place that meaning exists in an island of 200 billion stars.’

Composers have sought to make meaning of their existence and the greater cosmos through the music they have created. While writing his Fifth Symphony, the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius documented in his 1915 diary: “The importance is done with this mystery and enchantment. As if God the Father had thrown down the shards of a mosaic from the floor of heaven and asked me to find out what it had looked like.”

Pax, Ian

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THE EFFECTIVE LIVING CENTRE IN 2024

Adelaide’s Effective Living Centre – the community engagement project of Christ Church Uniting in Wayville, and a recognized Mission Centre of Uniting Church SA – continues with a high-quality program of events in 2024. Read about what’s coming up in our 2024 Program Brochure, which you can download below. Many of our events are available via live-stream, so you don’t have to necessarily be in Adelaide to participate.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD 2024 EFFECTIVE LIVING CENTRE PROGRAM BROCHURE

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY FORUM

In 2024, we’re delighted to launch the Progressive Christianity Forum (PC Forum), successor to Seminary of the Third Age. PC Forum will provide an opportunity to explore issues which challenge people of faith personally and are of concern to the church and its mission in the 21st century. The theme for 2024 is Where faith intersects with the critical issues for the church and the world and sessions will be held on the first Thursday evening each month, commencing with the free Launch with Rev Dr Sean Gilbert on 1 February. See the 2024 PC Forum Brochure below for more details.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD 2024 PC FORUM BROCHURE

All sessions will be available through live-stream – see the Humanitix link below for registration.

https://events.humanitix.com/the-progressive-christianity-forum-2024-launch  

For any enquiries: Fergus McGinley

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West End Uniting – Doco night! Sat 6th Jan (6pm) – “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture” (please share with appropriate networks)

“What if the word “homosexual” was never meant to be in the Bible?” …

For those in or near Brisbane next Saturday (6th Jan ‘24) …

West End Uniting Church is having a Doco night!

They will be watching – “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture”

(which is only available for a limited time – before a future general release)

For catering etc; If you intend to come along … Please go to the Facebook event page   https://fb.me/e/6mn9mYWy3   and indicate “going”; OR …

RSVP to weuc.explorers@gmail.com

@ West End Uniting Church, we affirm and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people in our church and beyond. We endeavor to make this event a safe space for all and will do all we can to ensure that our affirming culture is maintained.

We would love for likeminded people to join us for a relaxed evening, watching this significant contribution to LGBTQIA+ / Christian conversations.

o   Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm viewing.

o   Light refreshments will be provided.

o   The movie runs for 1 hour 32 minutes.

o   Also, after the movie, there will be some Poetry performed by ‘Boy Renaissance’.

o   After the movie & Poetry, there will be time and spaces to mix, chat, make new friends and discuss the movie.

o   The event is FREE, but there will be an opportunity to donate towards costs.

# Note Well – this will not be a venue for promoting / debating for non-affirming stances.

A little about the movie …

SYNOPSIS – “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring.”

For more information, Trailers etc …

https://www.1946themovie.com/

OR, if you are wanting to watch it at home, go to the following link:

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwatch.eventive.org%2F1946themovie%2Fplay%2F657a1bff74adf000488a46a4%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2y9Cyr5tD3_52NJYpVO0ee8kNTgxj_RnP0AbzLvS4aeFRGwo14Rjdqsq8&h=AT2fseL6LDvIDP8Wgy4G3xITFTKh8taaFZYNkZgTOvPiT4NzMcBIEEusLeQmeE7dUl2JV2OEiQYq0RtZIlVf4aHFTGxiisO_EVGPEkkWuLUBtTnSv-5QDGvr6APCRPp6LC0

Kris Maslen (he/him/his)

for West End Explorers

mob: 0404 645 007

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