On 18 July every year, we are invited to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in your communities. Nelson Mandela, fondly remembered as Madiba, remains a symbol of freedom, forgiveness and hope for the nation and the world. He kept the spirit of freedom alive in his battle to end apartheid. (Madiba: The name most commonly used by South Africans. Madiba is the name of the clan that Mandela belonged to and is derived from the name of a chief who ruled in the Transkei region in the 18th century. By using that name, South Africans expressed their respect for Mandela as the son of a traditional chief, but mostly it as an endearment).
A prayer of thanksgiving for Nelson Mandela This day we give thanks for the life of Nelson Mandela. He led a nation on a long walk to freedom. He fought for reconciliation and not retribution. He argued for peace in place of war. Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. When other surrendered to darkness he kept faith with the promise of tomorrow. He envisioned a path to “heal the wounds of the past… “ …with the intent of constructing a new order based on justice for all.” His work inspired the world. Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. In his time, the powers and the principalities reviled Jesus. The leaders of great nations in our time called Mandela a terrorist and a communist. Powerful interests stood up for white supremacy during the Apartheid era. Mandela stood up for the least of these. Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. Death is not the final victory. Nothing can silence the voice of Nelson Mandela – not Robben Island, not death. His words are eternal. His voice will echo throughout time. Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. Let us have an ounce of his courage. Let us have an ounce of his faith. Comfort those in South Africa and across the world who mourn. Let the work of Nelson Mandela continue in us. Lord, we give you thanks for Madiba. Amen. (Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie, HuffPost)
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Readings 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 David commands his military leaders to ensure that his son Absalom is not harmed, but they fail, and Absalom is killed in battle. When David hears the news, he grieves, wishing that he had died instead of his son. Psalm 130: A Psalm of faith and trust in God who forgives sins and whose promises bring hope and redemption to God’s people. Ephesians 4:25-5:2 The apostle instructs the Ephesians believers on how to live as true followers of Christ. He encourages them to be honest with one another, to speak to one another in edifying ways, and to avoid anger, shouting and slander, choosing instead the way of forgiveness and compassion. John 6:35,41-51 Jesus proclaims himself as the bread of life, and responds to his critics by comparing the life that he gives to the manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness – which could not keep them from death. Rather, Jesus, says, he gives life that does not end, and he reveals God to those who are drawn to him. (Summaries of readings by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Readings 2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a After Bathsheba is finished mourning for Uriah, David takes her as his wife, but God sends Nathan to confront him with his sin. Using a parable of a lamb, Nathan gets David to condemn himself and then prophesies God’s judgment on David. But, in the end, Nathan declares that David’s sin is removed. Psalm 51:1-12 David’s repentance psalm in which he acknowledges his guilt over his affair with Bathsheba and pleads with God to forgive and restore him. Ephesians 4:1-16 The apostle encourages the believers to accept one another, to live with humility, patience and love, and to nurture their unity, since God is also one. Within this united community each one has gifts that have been given by God’s grace and each should use these gifts to build up the community, even as a body is united but has different parts. John 6:24-35 Jesus teaches the crowds that all they need to do is to believe in the one God sent. In response the people ask for a miracle, mentioning the manna that the Israelites received when they were in the wilderness with Moses. In response Jesus tells them that he is the true bread of life and that whoever comes to him will never be hungry or thirsty. (Summary of Bible readings by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Arbor Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, but mostly organized on different dates. The first known Arbor Day was celebrated in 1594 in Spain. In the USA it’s celebrated on April 27th. In Australia it’s on June 20. Jewish people observe Tu B’Shevat (Tu Bishvat), on the 15th day of the Jewish months of Shevat. This festival is also known as the “New Year for Trees”.
The very first Arbor Day is Australia was observed in 1889. The proposal for observation of this day was made by several South Australians, who were concerned about the environmental situation of the continent. The activity of white settlement had led to the rapid loss of vegetation across South Australia, and that is why an appropriate environmental event was demanded. The proposal was backed by parliamentarians and soon Arbor Day was established. The inaugural event included a parade and after it the officials planted trees. For instance, then-governor Lord Kintore and his wife planted a bunya pine and a weeping Scotch elm. These trees still grow today. Pupils also planted a number of trees in designated areas. Protection of the environment is a great issue in Australia, that is why a number of Tree Days are observed by Australians. For instance, every state has its own Arbor Day and Arbor Week is observed in Victoria. Moreover, National Tree Day and School Tree Day are also observed by Australians. National Tree Day, was co-founded in 1996 by Planet Ark and Olivia Newton-John. It has now grown in to Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature protection event.
National Schools Tree Day is held on the last Friday of July for schools National Tree Day the last Sunday in July throughout Australia. This year, it’s 30th July 2023.
In Victoria, the Port Philip East Presbytery (Uniting Church in Australia) Climate Action Network has developed some resources to help congregations celebrate National Tree Day. They are encouraging people to take the opportunity to include a link to trees and care for the environment into a worship service. A two page resource document with suggestions and a PowerPoint prayer presentation is available. There are also beautiful National Tree Day bookmarks available. Perhaps you would like to follow the Sunday service with planting a tree or native plant and invite the community, family and friends to join you in celebrating National Tree Day. Contact: Rev. Deacon Andrea Mayes, Heatherton Dingley UC andrearmayes@gmail.com, or call 0408 615 939
Lynne Baab reflects on trees (from a North American context). I have always loved trees. They speak to me of God’s creativity, complexity, beauty and provision. In high school, we had three young birch trees in our back yard. To me, they looked like young girls dancing, reflecting the joy of living in God’s beautiful world. As a university student, I took hundreds of photos of the sun shining through trees. I particularly admired the translucence of maple leaves backlit by the sun, speaking to me of the beauty of the Light of the World. I often remember the trees from places I’ve traveled. The first time I travelled to New Mexico and Colorado in the fall, the round, golden aspen leaves made me gasp with pleasure. The trees looked like they were covered with gold coins, a picture of God’s rich beauty and abundance. The eucalyptus trees in Australia were a revelation. I had always loved the smell of eucalyptus trees when I visited Northern California, but I thought “eucalyptus” referred to one kind of tree. In Australia, dozens of species of eucalyptus fill the streets and parks, each species with a slightly different color or shape. Of the 700 species of eucalyptus in the world, most are native to Australia. Seeing all those different kinds of eucalyptus trees made me feel like a kid in a candy shop of trees, all of them intricately created by the Maker of all beauty. Trees are used throughout the Bible as metaphors for various aspects of faith. The tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1 bears fruit in its season and has green leaves even in a drought. Who is like that tree? A person who loves God, does what is right, and meditates on God’s law day and night. The vision of God’s abundance described in Isaiah 55:12 talks about joy and peace, which will be so powerful that the mountains will sing and “all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” I read that verse for the first time as a very young Christian, during my photographing-trees-in-the-sun phase, and I posted the verse on my bulletin board because it was so vivid and joyous. In John’s vision of heaven, recounted in Revelation 21 and 22, the river of life flows through the city, with the tree of life growing beside it, “and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Rev 22:2). The nations so desperately need God’s healing. I wonder if those healing leaves look like maple leaves with the sun shining through them. Perhaps those healing leaves are gold, like aspen leaves in the fall. Trees take simple ingredients – carbon dioxide from the air, water and minerals from the soil – and turn them into beautiful branches and leaves, as well as delicious fruit and precious oxygen. Because humans and other mammals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, trees give balance, providing the oxygen that is essential for human life. Without trees, the rising carbon dioxide level of the air would make life impossible for two reasons: lack of oxygen for mammals to breathe and ever increasing temperatures caused by carbon dioxide’s greenhouse effect. Arbor Day focuses on planting trees, these miracles of beauty and oxygen. This year, to celebrate Arbor Day, plant a tree. Draw a tree. Photograph a tree. Look out your window or go outside and enjoy the trees that you can see. And don’t forget to thank God for trees. (Originally posted on Godspace).
In November 2017, Rev Brian Polkinghorne was presented the ‘Award of Merit’ by the Roseworthy Old Collegians Association. The now 80-year-old and his family moved to Tanzania 12 months after he completed agriculture studies at Roseworthy College in 1969. He went as an agricultural missionary and has been back and forth to Tanzania on many occasions working on different projects. The African Evangelistic Enterprise invited him to open up a large reforestation project in Tanzania, funded by the Australian government. Brian and his team convinced farmers to plant and nurture 6.72 million trees. More here.
Rev Brian Polkinghorne
Creator God, Out of chaos you brought order. Out of nothingness you brought life. In the middle of all life stands the tree. Trees provide the air that nurtures all your creation. Birds make them their homes. Cats climb them for protection. Trees recycle life that has come before. Bless the trees of this word, loving God. Remind us to serve as their caregivers and protectors. Give them long limbs and long life. The gift of their breath is as special to us as the breath of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing May you live a life rooted and grounded in God’s presence. May you stand tall and strong, Bending with grace and trust in life’s storms. May you give and receive freely, Holding on to nothing for long, So that all life might flourish. May you hold space for those Around you, bearing witness to The joy and pain of life. Amen. (Source: Wendy Janzen)
The dream of my life Is to lie down by a slow river, And stare at the light in the trees – To learn something by being nothing A little while but the rich Lens of attention. (Source: Mary Oliver, “Entering the Kingdom”)
O God, You Made the Trees TERRA BEATA 6.6.8.6 D (“This is My Father’s World”) O God, you made the trees! The oak and Douglas fir, the maple, beech, and sweetgum reach their branches heavenward. The willow, growing wide — the redwood, tall and strong — and cedar trees! Yes, all of these sing out creation’s song.
You made each living thing to give and to receive. As roots grow down into the ground, they twist and interweave. A canopy of green restores and cools the air. Great branches shade the earth you made, and dance — as if in prayer.
How often we forget the forests and their worth! We lay cement on places meant to be the lungs of earth. For profit and for gain, we build and build some more; We cut down woods in neighborhoods of people who are poor.
O God, you made the trees — the apple and the pine. You made them all and still you call: “Take care of what is mine!” May we receive your gift and give ourselves anew to do our best, as we’ve been blessed, to care for trees for you.
The United Nations defines human trafficking as “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”
Readings 2 Samuel 11:1-15 After David sees Bathsheba bathing, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. Then, he summons her husband, Uriah, who is away at war, and attempts to get him to sleep with his wife to cover David’s adultery, but when Uriah refuses, out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers, David commands that he be left stranded on the battlefield so that he will be killed. Psalm 14 Those who are foolish and wicked say that there is no God, and God sees how society has become corrupt. But, God is with the righteous who are “eaten up” by the wicked, and will save Israel, leading the people to rejoice. Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians, asking God, who knows all people, to strengthen them, live in them and enable them to grasp the height, depth and breadth of God’s love. Then Paul, celebrates God who can do far more than we can think or imagine. John 6:1-21 Jesus is followed by a large crowd and he asks Philip where they will find food to feed them, but Philip expresses that it would be far too costly to try and feed them all. Then Andrew points out one youth’s five loaves and two fish. Jesus blesses the food and has it distributed to the crowd, and everyone is fed. Then, because he knows they want to force him to be king, Jesus withdraws. But, later, as the disciples sail across the lake, a storm comes up. But, Jesus goes to the disciples on the water and they reach their destination safely. (Bible summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
(leaving this page for reference and resources. The Uniting Church has now moved to Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday which takes place on the 3rd Sunday in July)
The declaration that the Uniting Church in Australia is a multicultural Church for all God’s people sets us on a journey of continual discovery and renewal. One Great Sunday of Sharing helps us to keep this focus at the heart of our common life in the UCA. It is held each year on the 3rd Sunday in July, or another date best suited to the local setting. Uniting Church congregations, faith communities and fellowship groups are invited to come together to share stories of being both guest and host, in personal life, in relationship with other cultures, and of our experience of being Christian in a multicultural Church and a nation that is both multicultural and multifaith. It is an opportunity to spend time together with people whose culture and background is different from your own.
PRAYER God our Creator, you brought this Uniting Church into being You have called us to be your diverse and multi-coloured people Show us how to value one another as those made in your image Christ Jesus You reached out across the barriers that divided Jews, Samaritans and Romans, Enable us to cross the barriers that separate us from one another Holy Spirit, You are the Giver of Unity, Unite your people in love that we may be a community of justice, love and reconciliation – A Church for all God’s People. Amen (A CHURCH FOR ALL GOD’S PEOPLE – VISION STATEMENT adopted by the 2006 Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia)
Readings 2 Samuel 7:1-14a David decides that he wants to build a temple (house) for God, but God, through the prophet Nathan, refuses him, and tells him that he is not the one to build a temple, and that God has never needed a temple. But, God promises David that his dynasty (house) will be established forever and that God will raise up a descendant of David to sit on his throne. Psalm 89:20-37 God has called and anointed David to be God’s chosen king, and God has promised him a dynasty that will last forever. If David’s descendants abandon God’s ways, God will discipline them, but never withdraw God’s love, ensuring that David’s dynasty is established forever. Ephesians 2:11-22 Jews and Gentiles together have been reconciled to God in Christ and brought into one community in which the lines of division have been removed by God through Christ’s cross. Now both are part of God’s household, and are built into a temple for God’s Spirit. Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 When the disciples return from their mission, they tell Jesus about all they have done, and he calls them to rest. But, as they try to withdraw to a quiet place, the crowds follow them and Jesus has compassion on them because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Then, wherever he goes, the people bring the sick to him for healing. (All Bible reading summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Readings 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19: David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem in two attempts, the second after hearing how Obed-Edom, in whose house the Ark had been left, was being blessed. Then, as the Ark enters Jerusalem, David dances with all his might, but his wife, Michal sees him and despises him for it. Psalm 24 A song affirming that the earth is the Lord’s, along with all its inhabitants, because God is the one who created it, but only people of purity and integrity are able to enter into God’s sanctuary. Then, God is welcomed with open gates. Ephesians 1:3-14 God has blessed God’s people in Christ, choosing us to be holy and to be adopted as God’s children, and bringing us forgiveness through Christ, in whom we have also received an inheritance. God has given us the Holy Spirit as a down payment on this inheritance. Mark 6:14-29 When Herod hears about Jesus, he thinks John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded at the request of his daughter (under influence of her mother), has come back to life. After John’s disciples hear of John’s death, they take his body and lay it in a tomb. (Summaries of readings by John van de Laar, Sacredise) Continue reading →
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10: The people of Israel join the people of Judah in making David their king, and so David becomes king over the entire nation. Then David establishes his throne in Jerusalem. (OR Ezekiel 2:1-5: God commissions Ezekiel to be a prophet to the Israelites and to proclaim to them that though they are hard-hearted and rebellious, and whether they listen or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them) Psalm 48: A psalm in praise of Jerusalem’s glory which overwhelms even enemy kings who come against it, since the city is protected by God. God’s praise extends to the ends of the earth. (OR Psalm 123: A prayer for God’s mercy after the mockery and shame that the proud have brought on God’s people, and committing to be attentive to God even as servants are attentive to their masters and mistresses) 2 Corinthians 12:2-10: Paul refuses to boast in anything except his weaknesses, since God has given him a “thorn in his side” to keep him from being conceited, and so he celebrates his weaknesses for it is in them that God’s strength is made perfect. Mark 6:1-13: Jesus preaches in his home town but the people reject him because they know him, and cannot honour him. Then Jesus sends the twelve out in pairs, with no resources, to preach, and they go, proclaim Jesus’ message, heal, and cast out demons. (Bible summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
