ON EASTER morning, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, which is more than just a return to life; it is a new, stronger, never-ending life. … We emerge from Lent as new people, transformed by our time in the wilderness and by the work we did there. We partake of Christ’s eternal life because we have chosen to make room for it in ourselves. … Enjoy the freedom you feel in your clearing. Celebrate its ongoing transformation into a garden, and know that God guards and tends this garden with you today and every day from now on.

- Sarah Parsons
A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent

Jesus Christ you have risen and we see you,

In the faces of the poor,

In the hurting of the sick,

In the anguish of the oppressed

Jesus Christ you are risen and we see you,

In the weakness of the vulnerable,

In the questions of the doubting,

In the fears of the dying.

Jesus Christ you are risen and we see you,

In the celebration of the saints,

In the generosity of the faithful,

In the compassion of the caring.

Jesus Christ you are risen and we see you,

You transform our world with love and hope,

You ignite our hearts of stone with compassion and care,

You transfigure our world with the spirit of life.

Hallelujah, Jesus Christ you are risen and we see you. 

(via Christine Sine)

(HT: Dave Walker)

Gareth, Elysia and I sat down with a candle lit for special time of prayer before they slept and we talked about Advent and what it means.  Gareth got it right when he said it was about “coming”.  But who or what’s coming I asked?  The kids giggled and mentioned presents and all. Of course, their pastor father had to use this teachable moment to talk about the Messiah Jesus. They accepted my explanation.

And we then moved on to the possibility of spending less money on buying presents especially for themselves! (I got the idea of including my kids more proactively this year from Sample AC Newsletter for Families and Kids). I proposed how about saving the money and give it to a project that we as a church will be supporting (BLC will be focusing on supporting United Voice this year – indeed a different kind of “water” project! We’re adapting to what we discern to be a local need).

Gareth leaped for joy and said he had lots of coins in his piggy bank! I confess I was a little stunned. At least the conversation has started, and the movement towards our convictions and actions will come in due time.

Click Advent Conspiracy for more information.

To me the Christian year has indeed become part and parcel of my own spiritual formation, I pray it is for people part of our church as well. For what it’s worth, Happy New Christian year and blessed Advent! I welcome you to join the conspiracy!

- Rev. Sivin Kit

“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.”

- D.Bonhoeffer

Amongst the many themes which emerged in Luther’s struggle during the Reformation period, what are the historical resources we can tap on as we confront the issues of our day as Christians and the Church in Malaysia? In what ways do we see similarities and differences, what could be ways forward?

What kind of “reformation” is needed for Christians and the Church in Malaysia today as we are faced with much uncertainties and challenges both internally and externally in all social, cultural, political, theological dimensions? How can we discern God’s will and know Him in the midst of our struggle to be faithful to the Gospel here and now?

When?
Friday, 31 October 2008 @ 8.00 pm

Where?
The Father’s House
Bangsar Lutheran Church
(see location map)

Who?
Rev Sivin Kit
Lutheran Church in Malaysia & Singapore

Rev Wolfgang Grieninger
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria

For its 2008/2009 season, Footstool Players is proud to present Crazy Little Thing Called Love: poignant portraits of the ties that bind – and sometimes knot – in a collection of sketches pertaining to the themes of love, courtship, marriage and family relationships.

The play features a mix of comedy and drama, but all thought-provoking in some way in highlighting issues pertaining to relationships. There’s innocence, idealism, joy, humour, reassurance, hope, regret, heartbreak, sorrow, and more – everything that comes with that “crazy little thing called love”!

You’ll laugh, you’ll weep. But most importantly, you’ll also think – and perhaps also discover.

Suitability

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is suitable for all audiences, regardless of religious background or affiliation. Age-wise, the play would be appreciated by older children through to seniors.

Performing Date

Sunday, 19 October 2008
7.30 pm

The Father’s House
23, Jalan Abdullah
off Jalan Bangsar
59000 Kuala Lumpur

(location map)

Tickets

Tickets are available at RM 5.00 per pax. Contact us for bookings.

For more details of the production, visit the Footstool Players.

On October 10 – 11, a group of friends and fellow pilgrims on the journey have decided to bring our minds and hearts into a common focus. You are invited to join us along the way.

Spend 1 ½ days with a team of cutting-edge theological thinkers and social scientific thinkers like Tricia Yeoh, Rev Dr Jojo Fung, Dr Helen Ting, Dr Sherman Kuek, Rev Sivin Kit, Veronica Ann Retnam, Alwyn Lau, and P. Sakthivel as they describe, interpret and analyse the current state of our nation from a Christian perspective. Together, we will then try to work out a concrete plan for a restoration of hope for Malaysia.

There is a certain open ended-ness (or “open source”-ness) in the agenda more so because we cannot orchestrate end results prematurely in times like today. But what we can do is to converge our individual efforts, cross-fertilize ideas, cultivate new networks, and work out baby steps forward together.

We worked out a basic framework we can all explore together … this is a chance also to affirm existing efforts as well as forge new ones. Shall we the Church in all it’s shapes and sizes, forms and functions … emerge from our slumber or sense of inadequacy … and converge towards a future together with all our unique gifts and contributions?

Dates
10 October 2008, 1.00 pm – 5.30 pm
11 October 2008, 9.00 am – 5.30 pm

Venue
Bangsar Lutheran Church
23, Jalan Abdullah
off Jalan Bangsar
53000 Kuala Lumpur

Registration Fees
RM 10.00
(for materials, refreshments and lunch on 11 October)

Closing Date
8 October 2008

For enquiries or registration, please contact roh.malaysia@gmail.com

Download the flyer here to pass the word around, have a look at what’s planned and also get a brief profile of the panelists.

For me, one moment stood our during the Abolish ISA Forum last night. I struggled to hold back my tears when everyone in the all gave a standing ovation when Raja Petra’s wife Marina Lee stepped on to the stage.

Standing Ovation for RPK and Marina Lee

Later as she shared heart to heart with the attentive audience what is on her mind, it was hard to remain numb and unmoved. The call to re-look at our humanity first, rather than the rhetoric of national security, shouts right in front of us through the feeble and yet firm voice of those who are left behind. The reaction from the crowd was loud and clear.

Heart to Heart from Marina Lee

I received an email last night reminding me of the words of the courageous Lutheran Pastor, Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), who is attributed for penning the poem “First they came…”. As we walk through the comforts of the pictures below, and we consider the various actions each of us may choose to take and converge for truth, justice, peace and healing in days to come, his words strongly impress upon us apathy can no longer be an option.

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.