coenorfolk

Thanksgiving on Norfolk Island

Since the 1890’s the community of Norfolk Island have been decorating All Saints Kingston and celebrating Thanksgiving together. The Pilgrims, following their first harvest in the New World in 1621, hosted the very first Thanksgiving; a celebration feast offering thanks to God for his bountiful provision, protection and care over them in the New World. The firstContinue reading “Thanksgiving on Norfolk Island”

Long Dry Patches

I don’t know about you but for me I go through pretty long dry patches where I don’t get to read my Bible all that much. God does not tell us that we need to read the Bible everyday. What he does say is much more fascinating. In Psalm 1 and Joshua 1 God saysContinue reading “Long Dry Patches”

Police Remembrance Day Service

Each year, the 29th September holds a special significance for Police throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. It is a day for police to pause to honour officers whose lives have been cut short while performing their duty as a police officer. Here on Norfolk Island a Service ofContinue reading “Police Remembrance Day Service”

Dream Big!

It’s October 2028. The world’s greatest sporting event is upon us. It’s the NRL Grand Final. The St. George Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs are playing to win the Provan-Summons trophy. The two best teams of 2028 are locked at 12 all with time fast running out. With thirty seconds left Souths have theContinue reading “Dream Big!”

A year of Protest on Norfolk Island

It has been a year of protest on Norfolk Island. This has raised for me a challenging and pressing question: as Christians, should we protest and picket the government? After all, human government is deeply biblical. Look back to Genesis 1:28, where God commanded Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earthContinue reading “A year of Protest on Norfolk Island”

Questions for reflection…

Here are some terrific questions for reflection / your time with the Lord this week. How real has God been to your heart this week? How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and fatherly love? To what degree is that real to you right now? Are you having any particularContinue reading “Questions for reflection…”

Good Days and Bad Days

Mother’s Day is one of the most celebrated days of the year for the simple reason that no one got here without a mother. Nevertheless, it’s a difficult day for many. There was a time in our own life when it represented a very painful day. Before we fell pregnant with Wendell, we lived throughContinue reading “Good Days and Bad Days”

Lest I forget Gethsemane

we nawa gwen forget dem ANZAC Day 2015 marked 100 years since the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Norfolk Island’s own contribution to both world wars was, per capita, the largest in the Commonwealth, which is proudly remembered by all islanders. This year the dawn service was held,Continue reading “Lest I forget Gethsemane”

UNIT Youth is almost here!

Next Friday night at the Parish Centre, the combined churches of Norfolk Island launch a new High School youth ministry called UNIT Youth. UNIT Youth is a new initiative designed to provide excellent and intentional ministry to our young people – it’s an exciting program specifically designed for teenagers, where they can gather with otherContinue reading “UNIT Youth is almost here!”

Friendship

The most central image for church goes right to the heart of our identity, it’s that we are family; brothers and sisters in Christ; sharing the one heavenly Father. In his book The Four Loves, CS Lewis shares a beautiful meditation on his friends [Charles Williams] death in an essay entitled ‘Friendship.’ In each of my friends thereContinue reading “Friendship”