Author Archives: Philip Garside

Engage with your preacher’s messages

My Sermon Response Journal – 2

  • Would you like to engage more with your preacher’s messages?
  • Are you looking for a simple and effective way to record your responses as you listen to the sermon / reflection / homily / address, or soon afterwards?
  • Do you want an aid to help you reflect and act on their message during the following week?

My Sermon Response Journal is the perfect tool.

* * * * *

Click for: More Details and to Order Print Books

 

Workshops on sustainability

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu – Action Point 14

Host and promote practical workshops. Find people who can pass on practical skills to equip people for living sustainably. Connect with people in the community and build friendships as you learn new skills together.

  • Tap into the skills of church members, especially retired folks
  • Training and resources at Future Living Skills: www.sustainableliving.org.nz
  • Host a Repair Café or Repair Fair, to help people mend clothes and toys, fix computers, small appliances, furniture etc. Find Repair Café Aotearoa NZ on Facebook, or folks like Repair Riverlution in Christchurch
  • Bike repairs; find folks in your community keen to help people fix their bikes
  • Make reusable menstrual pads; find Divine River on Facebook
  • Clothing repairs and upcycling fabric; connect with community initiatives such as Stitch Kitchen in Otago: www.stitchkitchen.nz
  • Talk to your local Men’s Shed, e.g. making ‘DIY’ bird feeders or possum traps: www.menzshed.org.nz

* * * * *

From the chapter To Come Home by Anna Baird
in Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, edited by Silvia Purdie. 

Click for: More Details and to Order Print Books

Click to Order your eBooks (PDF, ePub & Kindle/Mobi)

 

UK author Dave Tomlinson praises We’re All Equally Human

Praise for We’re All Equally Human

In the latest episode of his Holy Shed YouTube channel which focusses on “What the Bible says about LGBTQ+ issues,” Dave Tomlinson, UK author and Anglican priest  offers praise for We’re All Equally Human.

He says, “It’s a great read. It’s intriguing in the way it has been contrived and communicated. If you are struggling with [LGBTQ+] issues I recommend this definitely to you. It’s also got an amazing amount of resources at the back and some very helpful appendixes. Lots of helpful stuff there.”

* * * * *

Click for: More Details and to Order Print Books

Click to Order your eBooks (PDF, ePub & Kindle/Mobi)

Click the screen shot below to see the video.

 

Support a school’s Enviro programme

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu – Action Point 15

Growing partnerships between churches and schools nurturing environmental projects and relationships and empowering children to be fabulous enviro problem solvers!

  • Support your local school with gardening, planting and other projects
  • Find an Enviroschool or kindergarten and explore ways to encourage them: www.enviroschools.org.nz

* * * * *

From the chapter Problem Solvers by
Ava Carter, with Liz Horn and Mandy Cleave – Rolleston Christian School
in Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, edited by Silvia Purdie. 

Click for more details and to Order Print Books:
https://pgpl.co.nz/print-books/awhi-mai-awhi-atu-print-books/

 

Capture the Good News

My Sermon Response Journal – 1

” …write your responses to the sermon in your journal – during the service or when you get home – to capture the good news the preacher shared with you while it is fresh in your memory and heart.”

* * * * *

Click for: More Details and to Order Print Books

 

Form a Creation Care Team

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu – Action Point 26

Wouldn’t it be great to have a an active group of eco champions in every church?

Start an enviro team in your church by forming relationships, inviting people to talk, and giving things a try. This is important to sustain momentum and lead the church in practical action.

* * * * *

From the chapter Connected to the Earth – Diana Johnston
in Awhi Mai Awhi Atu, edited by Silvia Purdie. 

Click for more details and to Order Print Books:
https://pgpl.co.nz/print-books/awhi-mai-awhi-atu-print-books/

 

Reflect – Meditate – Get Closer to God

Highlights from our March & May Selections

Grace-Filled Moments with Sr. Joan: 365 Reflections on Life, Loss, Healing and Joy.
By Joan Chittister.

The challenge of this book is to make a personal commitment each day to take up silence — to set aside quiet time for reflection and reconnection. Silence, Joan insists, is the antidote to the chaos and busyness of modern life

* * * * *

Breath of the Spirit: Photographs & Joyful Words for Gentle Meditation. By Philip C. Garside – text; & Alexander Garside – photos

Pause and let these 57 full colour photographs with simple words boost your spirit.

Photographer Alexander Garside helps us to see the world through fresh eyes, and to appreciate the beauty of nature and our urban landscape. There is joy, light and life all around us.

* * * * *

Attached to God: A Practical Guide to Deeper Spiritual Experience. By Krispin Mayfield.

Why do we feel so far from God sometimes? The answer is found when you take a deep look at the other important relationships in your life and understand your attachment style.

When you understand your attachment style you gain a whole new paradigm for a secure and loving relationship with God.

* * * * *

Click Here or Here to Order Your Books

 

Kindle a Flame

A Thought for Today

Kindle a flame

Kindle a flame within our hearts
let your light shine through
let your light shine through.

Kindle a flame within our hearts
let your justice shine through
let your justice shine through.

Kindle a flame within our hearts
let your hope shine through
let your hope shine through.

Kindle a flame within our hearts
let your love shine through
let your love shine through.

Kindle a flame within our hearts
let your peace shine through
let your peace shine through.

About this Song

Kindle a Flame was written as a reflective song for worship and I have used it many times when leading services.

It also works well as part of the devotions for a small group, and as an individual, private meditation (change “our hearts” to “my heart”).

The words are simple and repetitive.

There is a melody line setting and several suggestions for how to use this liturgy/song in our PDF eBook Kindle a Flame.

* * * * *

Click to sign up and get your free PDF: http://eepurl.com/cSKIF5

Loving God of Aotearoa

A Thought for Today

Loving God of Aotearoa

Loving God of Aotearoa,
hear now our call to you,
We have gathered in your presence,
to celebrate anew!
We have come from many places,
speaking, thinking differently,
But in you we are united,
one whole, strong family.

Refrain:
Let us heed your call to service
and follow lovingly,
May we be compassionate people,
alive in you and free.

Scripture tells of faithful people,
who spread your light and love.
Now inspire, lead, direct us,
so we can be like them.
May the Way that Christ has taught us,
and the power of your Word,
Set a fire burning in us,
for justice and for love.

Rimu tall, with tui singing,
proclaim your majesty,
You who care for all creation,
will always care for me.
Matariki’s spirit guide us,
rise within us all the year.
Help us live and speak forgiveness,
your people want to hear.

* * * * *

About this hymn

Rev Desmond Cooper, our minister at the time, was president elect of the Methodist Church in 2010 and wanted a song for the Induction service at Conference. He mentioned that he liked Holst’s tune Thaxted (I vow to thee my country) but would prefer alternative words that were less nationalistic.

Loving God of Aotearoa is the result. I consulted Desmond and vice president elect Susanne Spindler as the lyrics were being written and they smoothed off a few rough corners. The hymn is dedicated to Desmond and was sung at the Methodist Conference in Palmerston North in 2010.

This poem is found in my collection of, music, prayers and poems: Kindle a Flame
which you can download as a free 30 page PDF eBook when you sign up for our email newsletters.

Click to sign up and get your free PDF: http://eepurl.com/cSKIF5

Healing of the Nations

A Thought for Today

Healing of the Nations

With laurel leaves
the winners crowned
Olympian effort applauded

With laurel leaves
the emperor crowned
power and force rewarded

How then to crown
the Lord of Life
the Saviour long-expected?

With sharp, hard thorns
was Jesus wreathed
prophecy and love contorted.

Crushed, healing herbs
dressed wounds and hurts
bodies whole again

Lest we forget
the dying sun
green shoots, new life
still comes.
Amen.

* * * * *

About this poem

Our congregation took part in the Living the Questions study programme some years ago. This poem is a response to the session on the book of Revelation.

It contrasts the way ancient Greek Olympic champions, Roman emperors and Jesus were crowned. This leads to thoughts about commemorating those who died or were injured in war.
Like the book of Revelation, the poem finishes on a hopeful note of renewal and growth.

This poem is found in my collection of, music, prayers and poems: Kindle a Flame
which you can download as a free 30 page PDF eBook when you sign up for our email newsletters.

Click to sign up and get your free PDF: http://eepurl.com/cSKIF5