O come, O come Wisdom from on high – Send your wisdom and cast aside the myopic stupidity that comes from thinking only of ourselves, only of our own species, only of our own wellbeing, only of our own country, only of our own religion, only of our own historical moment.
Hymns and Other Worship Materials
William (Bill) Livingstone Wallace is a retired New Zealand Methodist Minister and one of our most prolific contributors.
The following church service was conducted by George Stuart at Toronto New South Wales in Australia March 2021.
An Easter Journey
A progressive Christian encounter with the Easter story that situates it within the longer story of sacred love and within our lives today.
Senses sharpened in the silence, gently, quietly, feel your breath, know God’s love will never leave us, now, or in our time of death.
We tune our hearing to silence. We wait on the source of being. Our minds release the roar of thoughts.
The peace that we share when we turn and shake hands Is simply the peace that our Savior commands.
O Christ, we remember the things that you did, The lessons you taught us, the way that you lived.
Poem by Tina Datsko de Sanchez Spanish translation by José Sanchez-H.
Lo Divino nos está llamando The Divine is calling us para liberar a los cautivos, to bring release to the captives,
by Keith Sanford
Developed by Keith Sanford, Ph.D., Forward Faith provides new music and in-depth discussion of ideas from a faith perspective based on liberal, progressive theology.
As suggested by the title, the book takes a progressive approach to religion, seeing the critical biblical analysis of the past 200 years and the discoveries of science as friends rather than enemies in the ongoing quest for truth.
Featuring Nahko, Trevor Hall & Paula Fuga
I wanna be good, I wanna do better Wanna live long, be strong, but I know I won't live forever So while I'm alive, I'm gonna make a spark And I hope that my life will be a light, shining bright for those who are lost in the dark
Religious Naturalism (RN) has two central aspects. One is a naturalist view of how things happen in the world—in which the natural world is all there is, and that nothing other than natural may cause events in the world. From nature we came, in nature we are, to nature we go… The other is appreciation of religion with a view that nature can be a focus of religious attention - the ‘cosmic religious feeling’ as Einstein called it.
Durham Street Methodist ChristChurch New Zealand (Aotearoa) January 20, 2019 service led by Rev. Bill Wallace featuring some of his hymns. Our theme today is Christian Theology and global warming.
God, we see in sacred story women suffering silent pain, Living at the whim and mercy of the ones who troubled them. What does history know of Dinah? Was she bold and smart and strong? We just know her as the victim of a most horrendous wrong.
Where the seeds of love are sown Where compassion leaves its mark There amid life’s many trials Light will shine within the dark. When the seeds of justice flourish Growing into liberty People suffering in oppression Will at last then be set free.
Creation’s splendour calls forth praise for Nature’s wealth, for vibrant life. This planet home, a wondrous gift, is threatened now by greed and strife.
For righteousness and peace In places of oppression Let love and hope increase.
God, you made your good creation and you hold it in your care — From each starry constellation to each forest under-layer. Tiny creatures, mountain splendor, rivers, lakes and ocean floors — You are loving, kind and tender in your care for what is yours.
I trust One Eternal Presence, God of Scripture, the I am and I will be, Creative force of the universe, the Source of life.
On this quiet summer morning, I arise to find the airwaves clamouring with the sound of Tweets. As news of war and rumours of war penetrates my consciousness and awaken me to the surreal clamouring of madmen who hold the power of life and death in the grasp of their tiny hands, it is so very tempting to give in to the cynicism of the talking heads.
We need another language that we can live on earth, to move us further forward, to give the Word new birth; to live the love of Jesus, incarnate through our lives. Aligned with God’s own spirit, the love of God survives.
When theology unnerves those who seek a mythic past, are there echoes of the Christ shaking faith that it might last?
From the Seasoned Celebration Collection
1. Winter is the season of the revelation of basic structure. If I was to strip away all the paraphernalia of my life what form would it have? How many of the things which I do are related to the roots of my spirit. 2. Winter is the season for hibernation. What rhythm do I have for reflection as well as action? What frequency and length of time do I need in solitude in order to facilitate the growth and quality of my spirituality?