40 Photos 'Elliot'

 Elliot is a design student at University who came to Newcastle from Perth to study under one of the fine Lecturers. He is also of aboriginal descent and while not an Awabakal man, he is interested in local groups and how to engage with communities supportive of 'The Uluru Statement from the Heart.'

Can we play a role in connecting Elliot with Awabakal folk or introduce him to our most ardent advocates for 'voice, treaty, truth' and Wesley Mission's Indigenous Advocate or the City of Newcastle Advocacy Team. Then this might also be an opportunity to meet with Elliot and Sean Gordon, whose design company employs indigenous people and is based at Wickham!

40 Photos 'Jazz'

 Jazz is a student at the local High School studying comparative religions and looking for people's stories to tell. Who might we suggest she contact and speak to in exploring why faith matters to people? She is a member of the Amnesty International group at her school and we have participated in letter writing in past years. Is there a chance to collaborate with the school next campaign? Could they also be invited to meet with the 'Grandmothers for Refugees' and attend their weekly Civic Park vigil Thursdays 5pm or Wednesdays first week of the month?

40 Photos 'Della'

 Della was a refugee as a child and her family are not included in the recent decision 19,000 can apply for permanent residency. They are still in limbo, unable to work or study, doing odd jobs in their neighbourhood for cash but wondering what the future holds. Who do we write to advocating for Della and her family? Can we link them up through Mosaic Multicultural Connections or Mayfields Refuge Hub?

40 Photos 'Max'

    Imagine Max, with his unique reading glasses and himalayan beanie, a performance poet from Adelaide who travels the country in a camper van, doing shows in pubs and local schools! He spends winter at the snow fields yet is sometimes quite lonely on the road. Pictured here he has been performing during the Festival of Sydney and enjoying the harbour town but wonders how many more months he will be travelling this year. Max would happily perform at events to grow community, focus on justice and making the world a better place... Do we have an event he could open or contribute to?

"40 Photos"

    Lent derived from Lencten or lengthen, refers to northern hemisphere winter and a time to spend 40 days (not counting Sundays) in the lead up to Easter - living with more simplicity as a time of reflection! Why? It mirrors Jesus heading into wilderness where he was tested... preparing for the journey to Jerusalem, which cost Jesus his life! The 'tests' were invitations to grab power for personal gain, freedom or temporary relief from circumstances (a kind of partial solution) which Jesus rejected, quoting wisdom from the ancient Scriptures to explain - instead choosing vulnerability and faith... echoing the story of Israel wandering for 40 years and failing to choose well...

Here Jesus shows 'the way...'

Here are 40 photos of people from different cultures, places, different ages. Thy invite you to use your imagination and make up their back story... What might be their name? What is their story? How do they feel about spirituality and faith? 

What would they ask about the Easter story if they had the chance?

What might God’s inexhaustible love mean in their lives and communities? 

How might a community of Jesus followers being like ‘salt’ and ‘light’ draw this out?