Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for Epiphany 4
(Apology for the unexplained audio breakup)
Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for Epiphany 4
Repent! That can be a scary "religious" word. But repentance is not about threat of punishment - it is about the hope of real change.
We say we want new generations to know God. But is isn't that easy. As Eli discovered.
Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for the first Sunday after Epiphany
Mary teaches us to love. And it is a hard lesson for us to learn
Rev Pam Hynd' sermon for Advent 3
Rev Kathy Hammer's sermon for Advent 2
Welcome to Advent! Have you put your tree up yet? I know so many people who have put their trees up early this year! Good Anglicans! People who, under normal circumstances would not dream of getting the tree out of the garage until December 1. But there they are on social media in droves – posting their pictures of sparkling Christmas trees a week, or even two weeks before Advent. Even me! My tree has been up for over a week! What is it about this year that has led to all these violations of advent etiquette? What do you think? And what's with these dark and brooding Bible readings we always get for Advent 1?
Long, long ago there were four ways societies reacted to women with leadership gifts. There were those who reacted to women leaders like the people of Israel reacted to Miriam – taking advantage of their skills to bring liberation and life to their people, but never being acknowledging them with official leadership roles. There were some in which the only option women leaders had was to act like Jael – making the most of every opportunity to act with stealth behind the scenes to do the things that acknowledged leaders are too visible to do. In too many societies women have suffered the fate of the exploited and brutalised women at the end of the Book of Judges. Women whose voices have been silenced by abuse. Women whose life-giving contribution to their communities was cut short by violence. And at some rare high points in the history of humanity, women like Deborah have been recognised for their leadership and invited to bring life and hope to their communities: when women of competence, confidence, courage and conviction have not been dismissed, silenced and abused but sought out, honoured, believed and followed. Long ago. And ever since. Which sort of society do you want to live in?