2020 had more than the usual degree of chaos for many people, but even in a relatively uneventful year, there is some degree of chaos in most people’s lives.  Though one might yearn for a life free of chaos, even a cursory study of this topic suggests that chaos is important, perhaps necessary, for life. (Read more)

Sunday worship at the Ocean Grove service continues to be  streamed via Zoom each week, and can be joined at 10:30 am (AEST)through the link:

https://zoom.us/j/2978521634?pwd=K01ZNDZnTUxiYzYwRFlVL0tsQW5oZz09

Meeting ID: 297 852 1634

Passcode: 988040

In addition to the ‘live’ worship on Sunday mornings, a text and audio service can be accessed at any time from this site. The worship service for April 11th is now available at “Minister/View From the Pulpit/Sermons”

Now that masks are no longer required in church (nevertheless, wearing them is still advised), the question arises, “Should I wear  a mask?”  What is the new etiquette?

If it were only a question of protecting oneself, the answer would be easy: I would choose to take a small risk or not.  However, the role of a mask is also to protect others.  In fact, the mask is much more effective in protecting others from you than it is in protecting you from others.  Now the question is: “Should I be responsible for the protection of my neighbour?”  This question, at least for a follower of Jesus, is an easy one to answer, is it not?

If you are completely healthy and you are certain you have not been exposed to the coronavirus, then it is quite reasonable to not wear a mask in church.  If, however, there is any chance you may have been affected, and are asymptomatic, the responsible choice is to wear a mask in the presence of others.

Perhaps we have stumbled upon a new word: Masketiquette (when to wear one). This may be the beginnings of a new glossary for the times in which we live; e.g.
Maskercise, the extra exercise gained when, having entered the supermarket, you realise you left your mask in the car:
Maskicide: causing death using a mask made out of a plastic bag;
Maskette: a face covering for an infant.
And, of course, there will be a new use for Masking Tape

Contributions to this new glossary should be emailed to Rev. Bob at bobuc2@juno.com.

The Queenscliff branch of Rural Australians for Refugees is currently conducting a letter-writing campaign to our politicians, and would greatly appreciate our support.  Please find out more by clicking on the links below, and see how you can help get justice for genuine refugees.

Permanent protection for Refugees

Support Labor party’s policy for refugees here

https://www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au

Although not as effective as direct communication with our politicians, you may sign a petition online by clicking on this link.

The presidential election in the United States and subsequent events pertaining to the election raise questions, especially for those unfamiliar with the American political system.  If we didn’t have names and places in the news reports, we might think the reports referred to a place like…(Click here to read more)

Having recently added a function to this website that keeps track of  whence visitors to it come, we have been astounded to learn that well over 80% of our visitors live overseas, particularly the United States.  In fact, many more Americans view the website than Australians.

We have avoided providing a function on the website that allows visitors to leave comments because, on past experience, most of those who comment are SPAMers.   However, it would be good to hear from those who visit the website, so if you would like to make comments, please email Rev. Bob at bobuc2@juno.com, and your (genuine) comments will be posted (unless you would rather they remain confidential).

At the end of November and early December, the number of hits suddenly jumped to over 10 times normal, with the bulk of visitors coming from the U.S.A.  There was particular interest in the article on the Trinity under “Words of the Word”.  We would love to hear from those visitors, to know the reason for the sudden interest in the Trinity, especially at that time of year (Advent). 

This is a series that explores the music Jesus might have written and sung had he been a modern-day musician.  Songs (currently there are 98) will be added at least weekly, so bookmark this page and come back often.  The first offering is...(click here to read more)

When “law” is used as a religious term, it is usually in reference to God’s Law, which for the Jews of Jesus’ day…(click here to read more)

Yes, God’s Word is available through the Bible, but not only through the Bible.  We believe that, throughout history, revelation has come to men and women, and some of these people incorporated it in their writing… It would be folly to believe that revelation has ceased or that people have stopped communicating the fruits of revelation in writing. We continue to be blessed by God’s Word as it comes to us through modern artists. (Click here to read more)

Click on this link for a sample of the many ways in which it arrives…