[An Advent missive from the Australian Churches’ of Christ’s #1 much-loved critic!].

Hi

Advent is always a time of hope and dreaming.

Since about 2000 I’ve been circulating comment/critique/collations/ and cryptanalysis, on our conferences, congregations and the wider koinonia. I doodled around around, first, under the title of the “Alternative Australian Christian”, some didn’t like that, so I then switched to the “CofC Ecumenical-unofficial Network”, and others weren’t happy with that either.

But by and large if people were unhappy (one conference council thought, I “was bringing CofC into disrepute”!), or happy, they made contact, and I have been greatly enriched by the exchanges over the years.

These doodles arose out of a deep commitment to our tradition, our history and our movement’s search for the “Unity of the Body of Christ”.

And so at Advent I continue to dream and hope that

*we’ll reaffirm that continuing search for the Unity of the Body of Christ

*we’ll have a moratorium on building more “church” buildings

*we’ll read more Asian, feminist and European theology,

*we’ll see copies of “The Poverty and Justice Bible” and “The Green Bible” in every pulpit

*we’ll embrace inclusive relations and provide safe congregations for the diversity about us

*we’ll value openness and debate and transparency, as integral to the koinonia

*we’ll jump at the chance to explore with other faiths, the One Being who is Truth.

Who knows with epochal economic change and unprecedented challenges of climate change,(and the slow, but steady disappearance of CofC) where 2009 will take us!

But still Advent is a time of dreaming and hope.

Daniel Berrigan is a Jesuit priest, writer, film extra (“The Mission”), for a time one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, contributing editor of Sojourners, Paul Simon( “Me and Julio down by the school yard”) sang about him as the “radical priest”, poet and peacemaker.

I hope you find Berrigan’s reflection on Advent enriching and challenging.

Peace and Salaam

Alan

“”””It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss — This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction — This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever — This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of Peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world — This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church, before we can be peacemakers. This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young shall see visions, and your old shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humanity, for justice, human dignity, and peace are not meant for this earth and for this history — This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.

Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ — the Life of the world.

“”””””””Daniel Berrigan (“Testimony:The Word Made Flesh” Orbis,2004)

20 December 2008. —

Shalom/Salaam/Pax! Rowland Croucher

http://jmm.org.au/ (20,000 articles 4000 humor)

Blogs – http://rowlandsblogs.blogspot.com/

Justice for Dawn Rowan – http://dawnrowansaga.blogspot.com/

Funny Jokes and Pics – http://funnyjokesnpics.blogspot.com/