13/09/2020

Minister of the Word Rev. Caro Field 0418 363 707

Parish Administration Office Ph. 6326 5928 Mon – Fri 9:30am-2.00pm Email: lnuc.office@gmail.com

Launceston North Congregation 9.15am 128-132 George Town Road, NewnhamLilydale Congregation (1st and 3rd) 11.15am 1953 Main Road, Lilydale

A ‘Just War’ – Really?During the week, we remembered the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA. The ‘War on Terror’ that was waged as a response to this event has been justified by many Christians as an ex-ample of what’s known as a ‘Just War’ (ie a war that can be said to be just because the end justifies the means). The Centre for Christian Non-violence has this, slightly tongue-in-cheek, comment to say about the concept of a ‘Just War’.“If Jesus visibly returned to earth at this moment would He clear up the omission He made the first time around and teach a just war theory to His followers today? If He did return and if He would teach a just war theory for His dis-ciples, it could be called the Sermon on Capitol Hill. It would have to go something like this, so that it would not to be in contradiction with the just war theory His Churches have been teaching since about three hundred years after He rose from the dead: Blessed are they who engage in the mass slaughter of war only after the war is officially declared by their government. Blessed are they who destroy sons and daughters of the “Father of all” only after calculating by some method that the hypothetical good res-ults from a war outweigh the hypothetical evil results from a war. Blessed are they who use only just means to kill their fellow Christians and others in war. Blessed are they who only maim and kill others for a just cause. Blessed are they who train to maim and kill others for their country or tribe. Blessed are they who believe and teach, “If you want peace prepare for war.” Blessed are they who ignore My teaching of Nonviolent Love of friends and enemies when their country calls. Blessed are they who kill only out of love. Blessed are they who do not kill children and civilians except under the auspices of collateral damage.

Blessed are they who lay down their lives for their friends while trying to destroy the lives of others and their friends. Blessed are they who know the way of peace is not what I previously taught. Blessed are the Peacemakers: the Peacemaker Colt 45, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker Nuclear Bomber, the ICBM, LGM- 118A, the ADSS-1 “Guardian” Sentry Gun (made by Peacemaker Arms), or the MX Peace-maker Missile.”Of course, nothing is ever simple black and white, so it would be foolish and naïve to suggest that we should never send troops to war to de-fend innocent people (although it would be nice if we COULD). It is fit-ting that our gospel reading this week talks about forgiveness. I can’t help but wonder what our world would be like if the response to the horror of 9/11 was a peaceful one, rather than a violent one; offering forgiveness rather than vengeance.Have a good week,Caro

Next Sunday: RCL Readings for 20th September (Pentecost 16A)Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16Read: Philippians 1:21-30 and reflect on the following questions:1. What new words or ideas speak to you from the text? Why?2. Paul is writing from prison, thinking about the possibility of death. How can this prospect sharpen our focus on what is really important in life?3. Paul wants to convey to the Philippians what really matters, in case he does not have the chance to see them again. What experiences of this have you had in your life?4. Paul is encouraging unity of purpose in the church at Philippi. In what ways is your church realizing this or not? 5. Is the unity Paul describes possible? How can such unity combat fear of the future?

News and Stuff:

* Parish AGM after worship - The AGM will be held TODAY after morn-ing worship at Newnham. The AGM was due to be held in March but due to COVID-19 restrictions the meeting was postponed. The reports were originally sent out on the 10th of March, and Mel re-sent them via email during the week. There will be printed copies available today for anyone who did not receive them via email.

* Church Council meeting – will be held after the Parish AGM

* Reminder that the church office will be shut from the 14th of Septem-ber to reopen on the 21st September.