Monthly Archives: December 2012

A Christmas Sermon. From an Atheist. In Parliament.

This was one of the big surprises of the Christmas season last year. Co-Leader of the Green Party, Russel Norman, outlines the good news of Jesus Christ – with well-developed incarnation theology and everything. In a speech in Parliament. Prefaced by his identification as an atheist. It’s extraordinary. Here’s an extract (but you really must […]

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A Patchwork Parenting Manifesto

  Take a deep breath, parents. This is a manifesto of cooperative parenting, and I’m pretty pumped about it. As AHLondon and Angela said the other day, it can be so hard to have an open-minded, open-hearted conversation with other parents about How To Be A Parent. There is so much sensitivity and  defensiveness in […]

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Jesus Was a Palestinian Refugee

St Paul’s Church in Auckland is famous for the impossibly cuuuuute nativity videos they produce each year, starring their kids. This year they have also released this compelling short film for adults, reminding us that Jesus was a Palestinian. There are several parts where my eyes widened. Watch for the shepherd (who has an accounting degree) talking about […]

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Advent in Art #4: Shepherds

If you love surprises, chances are you live in a rich and safe part of the world. There is a famous (but possibly not ancient, nor Chinese) curse that says ‘May you live in interesting times!’ (This Advent we are spending time with Mark Pierson’s Advent in Art series, a set of paintings by James B Janknegt, curated by […]

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How to Have an Opinion

I’ve learnt an awful lot, in the way of facts and vocabulary, since I entered the world of parenthood. Who knew a pregnant woman’s blood volume increases by around 40 per cent? Heavens! Among the contraptions I didn’t know existed are breastfeeding pillows (highly recommended) and bowls that suction to the table-top (ditto – though […]

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