Michael Mann

Jan 6, 2025 | ucaqld.com.au | Michael Mann

When we focus on Christian giving, and our response in thanksgiving to God for a multitude of blessings, we might turn to Romans chapter 12: 1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect”.

Dec 2, 2024 | ucaqld.com.au | Michael Mann

Reflection by Andrew Solomon“You are not being allowed into India”. When the man at the immigration counter at Delhi airport said this we though he was joking. Our tourist visas were valid and we had already used them to visit India back in February without incident, so why were we being denied entry now, in October? The other six participants on the latest Dostana visit were waved through with no issues while Catherine and I were stuck at our counter for ages.

Dec 2, 2024 | ucaqld.com.au | Michael Mann

Reflection from Week One of this year’s Advent ResourcesHave you ever heard the Christmas carol “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”? If you’ve worked in any kind of shop during the Christmas period over the last 10 years this might be triggering some bad memories, but for the rest of us, the signs that we see around us at this time of the year are a reminder that Christmas is on the way. The decorations that catch our eye with their sparkle and movement.

Nov 26, 2024 | ucaqld.com.au | Michael Mann

“Stability” is one of those words that could have a variety of meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. If we think of what people like to call 'the realities' of our life, and of life issues, God often becomes not only a last resort, but very often an irrelevant intrusion. But consider Isaiah 33: 1-9. As the writer pondered the future of his country, he wrote: 'How great the Lord is!  He rules over everything.

Nov 19, 2024 | ucaqld.com.au | Michael Mann

Tuesday 11th November is Remembrance Day - a time when we reflect both on the high price that so many have paid, and indeed on the whole issue of war and peace. Must peace be forever something that we can only dream about, but remain out of reach? In Mark 12:38-44 we have the story of what is commonly called “the widow’s mite”.