40 year Pilgrimage

Challenging journeys are my lifelong specialty! As a new Girl Guide charged with bringing breakfast to our site, I managed to get lost in the sand hills. My ‘sand hill experiences’ are now so familiar, they barely phase me now. I set out for a promised end, wander around in the desert for far too long and eventually get there (unlike Moses I have a GPS!)

The Uniting Church’s vision of ‘a pilgrim people together on the way to the promised end’ resonates deeply for me. Formed by the courageous amalgamation of the Australian Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches 40 years ago, change and challenge are part of its DNA.

As a woman, I am thankful my church fully values us. The NSW Moderator is an ordained, Korean-born woman, illustrating the extent of that acceptance and an increasing cultural inclusivity.
Compassion and social justice are important to the Uniting Church. ‘Uniting’ is one of the largest providers of community services in Australia. Reconciliation between First and Second Peoples and the humane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is actively sought. We are concerned, vocal and involved with environmental issues, amongst many other important concerns.

My role as Community Chaplain is one of the unique, pilgrim ways the Uniting Church is exploring to be relevant, kind and generous to the surrounding community. The Lane Cove Uniting congregation support me to be available to you personally when your life is challenging and when spiritual questions arise. We also seek to enrich our local community. Regular activities include a local walking group, meditation, Mums’ network and some lively discussion groups (see website below). Friday lunchtime chess in the plaza will begin soon.

I believe the heart of God, and therefore Christianity, is love. May love be the GPS of our continuing pilgrimage.
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And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love, (from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:13 NRSV)