O Holy Night, the Christmas carol set to soaring music, was banned in the land of its origin, France. It has a distinctly egalitarian flavour, but the ban came when the author of the poem that forms its lyrics denounced… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall on a different Christmas Our Christmas will be lovely this year. It always is. But Christmas can make us remember who’s not there, who we’d like to be. A sibling. Or parent. A grandchild or uncle or niece.… Continue Reading
It seems as though Matthew and Luke have taken turns providing pieces of a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. Luke gives us the shepherds and Matthew, the wise men. Mary meets the Archangel Gabriel in Luke; Joseph encounters a reassuring angel in… Continue Reading
Peter Cameron, the Presbyterian minister convicted of heresy by his church, once wrote, “History tends to be written by the winners, except for the odd occasions when the victims get their versions out first.” By that standard, Cameron won. His… Continue Reading
A statement authorised by Pope Francis, which parallels discussion in the Church of England, says it is possible to bless same-sex couples, but without offering the impression of a marriage. “Fiducia Supplicans,” issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of… Continue Reading
Last Sunday, December 17, saw the first “Prayers of Love and Faith” being offered in the Church of England. These new official prayers allow LGBTQIA couples to receive prayers of blessing in local churches as part of ordinary worship services.… Continue Reading
Chiquit Torrente-Brammall on worshipful singing. (Chiquit is in the middle row, second from left – with the black, fringed hair and glasses singing Messiah at the Sydney Opera House) I haven’t truly written since the pandemic took my publishing job… Continue Reading
An Obadiah Slope Column “Good Different” works for churches too: A great example of how Aldi supermarket’s slogan “good different” can be a helpful strategy for churches on the ground comes from the Presbyterian Church in NSW. “Having a couple… Continue Reading
A very different Bible – the Plain English Version (PEV) – is indigenous in two significant ways. It has been translated in Australia from the original languages – all other Australian English language bibles are based on translations from the… Continue Reading
The book’s name says it all: “Hire Right, First Time”, implying that Christian churches and organisations are getting hiring wrong. And that there is a better way to do it. The Other Cheek spoke to Corporate psychologist Dr Ken Byrne,… Continue Reading