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Good Friday evening on the beach

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:53:28 GMT

A gathering of Junction members, joined with Life Expedition (http://www.lifeexpedition.org/main2/) for a sunset service on the beach at Mt Eliza on the evening of Good Friday.

Life Expedition musicians led a short, energetic and powerful worship session before they baptised two of their number in the cold waters of Port Phillip Bay.

A light onshore breeze stifled our attempt to send candles out on lettuce leaves, however we still did send out the leaves in the setting sun and the two church groups had a great time together before heading back to Life Expeditions campsite for a warming bonfire.

It was a casual, yet simply powerful way of acknowledging the true meaning of Easter on one of the most important days of the year.

Refugee Realities

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:54:03 GMT

After our Big Gathering this morning, 7 adults and 10 kids ventured off to GasWorks Park in Albert Park to experience Oxfam's Refugee Realities - "a free interactive experience that puts you in the position of a refugee or internally displaced person trying to find safety and a long term solution.

Refugee Realities is both an interactive performance event involving moving image, improvised theatre, audio-visual and photographic art forms as well as an ongoing online project to document the various realities refugees face.

Refugee Realities aims to educate all Australians about the extraordinary experiences of people who have fled from war.

At Refugee Realities you will navigate a mine field, find your way to the refugee camp, go searching for your basic needs like water and food and help build a temporary shelter. At the end of the experience you will have the opportunity to try to seek a permanent solution to displacement, outside the conditions of the camp. "

We had a guide with us throughout the journey, which took just over an hour and was eye-opening in terms of experience and the things we learned. We experienced a taste of what refugees experience just to get to a refugee camp - which is more horrid than we could ever begin to imagine and would never hope to experience in real life. We also learnt a lot more about the conditions experienced in these camps, which vary from only just liveable, to nightmareish.

The simulation is aimed at school students and is open to class groups during the week, but open to the public on weekends until 13th March. I highly recommend you take the time to go and visit, it is a well worthwhile experience for both adults and children. Get more info at the Oxfam website - http://www.oxfam.org.au/refugee/public/rrp/index.php

100 Revs

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:53:43 GMT

Our Pastor Kim Hammond has become involved in a movement "100 Revs" - in which participating ministers offer their personal apologies for the treatment that the gay and lesbian community has received from the established church. This includes a formal written apology that each minister has attached their name to. As part of "100 Revs", ministers will be marching in the forthcoming Sydney Mardi Gras parade, displaying a "Sorry" sign. For more information on the movement, including the full text of the apology, check out their blog or listen to Kim being interviewed on ABC Radio on Sunday 24th February - check out the podcast.

Twins dedication

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:19:11 GMT

Our February Big Gathering became an even bigger family event, with Junction member Michelle inviting her family and friends to join with her Junction family for the Dedication of her twin daughters Amelia and Makayla.

This special event was celebrated with a wonderful slideshow of images of the girls first few years, accompanied by good music, a good time of sharing from Kim and of course - good food and great company.

Casual start to 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:15:13 GMT

The Junction started 2008 with what it does best - gathering together around food. Our January gathering was held in the beautiful bushland of Crystal Brook Part at Cardinia Reservoir,with good food and great company. The nearby children's playground kept the kids active and happy whilst the adults took the time to catch up and relax after the hectic Christmas holiday period.