Pick a Day Advent #pickadayadvent RULE

   I've borrowed a picture for today. It's a picture of Wallaby rugby player bolted to a digger in the Leard Forest joining in a protest against Whitehaven Coal, alongside a local farmer where the forest is named after his forebears. It's an act of civil disobedience for which they were arrested.

   I chose it because the choice to act is about what or who 'rules' your life or what 'rule' you will choose to live by... it's about beliefs being put into action. It will cost David Pocock a 'Code of Conduct' warning from the ARU but he was back at Brumbies training Monday...

“My parents were always clear with my brothers and I when we were growing up that you have to have the courage of your convictions and that when you commit to something you must fully commit. That’s why, this weekend I travelled to the Leard Blockade to meet with farmers, activists and fellow Canberrans who are deeply concerned about the expansion of the Maules Creek Mine in the Leard State Forest. A group of us decided to take part in an action that would disable a super digger while we occupied it and raise awareness about the plight of the Maules Creek community, the Leard State Forest, the local Gamilaroi whose country and sacred sites are being destroyed, and all of us who are beginning to suffer the impacts of climate change.”

  I will be watching how that all unfolds with the ARU by comparison to other players recent behaviour... but Pocock knew the risks and the thing with this action is he knows not everyone will agree or even understand BUT you live by your RULE...

   This is the kind of reason the Uniting Church includes one aspect in our 'Code of Ethics' for my vocation, that makes room for such action should we make this kind of choice...