Another quote from Ronald Cole-Turner’s excellent short paper “Science, Technology and Mission.”

Very likely, computers and the Internet will create new horizontal ecclesiastical structures that will overlay traditional vertical structures, such as denominations, or local association, such as local ecumenical councils. Alongside these will rise new linkages built upon digitized networks and electronic pathways. These new forms of non-local structure will follow special concerns or forms of mission rather than geography or denomination, and they will permit heightened levels of interactivity and mutuality. At the same time, denominations might experience new strength and vitality as the attain an increase ability to link local congregations into a truly connectional or organic reality, capable of subtle feedback loops and heightened self-awareness.

The paper’s now 4-5 years old but what we’re seeing out there in the blogosphere seems very much in tune with this. I like his view that it’s not either traditional or non-traditional/emerging churches that take advantage of this but both.

So it’s Friday – the birds are singing, the sun is shining and life is good. The dark hours (or “long, dark teatime of the soul”) of another Thursday have departed.

Had a nice morning visiting another theology PhD student, drinking excellent coffee (Phil works in a shop specializing in coffee machines) and chatting about life as a post-grad with kids.

Also, found out today that I’d been awarded a scholarship to attend the annual ANZATS (Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools) conference in Melbourne in a few weeks time. I thought that it was a long shot when I applied but I’m jetting over the Tasman in early July.

The conference is entitled “The Glory of God: Humanity Fully Alive” and the key note speakers are talking on the Eastern Orthodox contribution to theology. Should be good for me as my thesis and recent teaching have used and commented upon Orthodox insights.

More conference details at:
United Faculty of Theology
ANZATS ConferencePage

Today is a Thursday – arguably the day of the week which always seems the most stressful for me. Like Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – “This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays”.

I dip into lots of different books from time to time looking for poems or prayers that seem to capture the moment. Today this poem/prayer by Michel Quoist in his book “Prayers of Life” seemed appropriate.

The Wire Fence

The wires are holding hands around the holes;
To avoid breaking the ring, they hold tight the neighbouring wrist,
And thus it is with holes that they make a fence.
Lord, there are lots of holes in my life.
There are some in the lives of my neighbours.
But if you wish, we shall all hold hands,
We shall hold very tight,
And together we shall make a fine roll of fence to adorn Paradise.

Still thinking about creation I went back through some back issues of Reality Magazine just skimming and came across the following article.

Reality. Issue 52: “The Green-Fingered God” by�David�Crawley

I appreciated David’s teaching and guidance while studying for my BD a few years back, and in my final year combined the theology major with spiritual formation fieldwork to help me balance the rational and experiential. He also introduced me to Hildegard.

Another interesting article on a similar theme I came across as well is Reality. Issue 39: Is God Green? by Mark Laurent

“A mistake about creation will lead to a mistake about God.” (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles II. 2. 3)

New Zealand have retained the IRB Sevens overall crown for the fifth time, despite losing to England in the final of the IRB Sevens London 22-19. The Kiwi’s just needed to make it to the semi-finals to assure them of the title but given some of the upsets this year that wasn’t a given.

It’s been a great year to watch Sevens with lots of different nations making huge progress in their performance. NZ, England, Fiji, South African and Argentina all had their chances this year. And teams from Canada, Kenya, Scotland and Georgia all push the major players each tournament. The TV coverage has sucked but hopefully with the Sevens World Cup next season that will improve.

Full details at: IRB Sevens 2003/4:New Zealand retain crown

I found this prayer for Trinity Sunday a while back in one of Tom Wright’s books (New Tasks for a Renewed Church).

Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth:
   Set up you kingdom in our midst.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God:
   Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Holy Spirit, breath of the living God:
   Renew me and all the world.

Just read that Richard Biggs (44), the actor who played “Dr. Stephen Franklin” in B5, died in May 21. Apparently he just got out of bed on morning and collapsed with a tear in his aorta. Survived by his wife and two young sons (2 & 4).

Biggs was one of the B5 cast who always had time for the fans and used his popularity to raise funds for various charities and schools, especially for the deaf. (He suffered hearing impairment himself.)

The LA Time obituary is here: Richard Biggs, 44; Television Actor Known for Featured Roles in ‘Babylon 5,’ ‘Days of Our Lives’.

JMS posted on USENET here: Today We Lost Richard Biggs.

Good comments by Steve at e~mergent kiwi: pentecost evening about the Spirit at Pentecost fulfilling the hope that all, not just a few select ones, are now able to receive, partake in and enjoy the Spirit of God.

Reminds me of this prayer I found a few years back.

Lord, help us to discover the fervour of the early Christians
And the power of the first evangelisation,
That morning of Pentecost, as it started
In the cenacle of Jerusalem
Where your disciples, with Mary, gathered in prayer,
Awaited, Father, the fulfillment of your promise.
Give us the grace to be renewed
‘In Spirit and in fire.’
Teach us to speak to the world in tongues of fire,
Let us bring to an end this time of uncertainty
Where Christians are timid and mute
Discussing anxiously problems of today,
As in the past on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus,
Without realising that the Master is risen and alive.

Cardinal Leon-Joseph Suenens,
extract from ‘Prayer for the Year 2000’.

I like how Pentecost has gone on for me this year. Not just a Sunday morning but the whole week as I read different people reflections, comments and interaction with it.

Seen yesterday in a short story by Doug Hawes:

How strange that only one room in my house is called the living room: what do I do in the rest of it then?