Today I got up early and went into Sydney on the bus to Pitt Street Uniting Church. The church is famous for at least two reasons. A former minister Dr Dorothy Macrae Macmahon has written many books on feminist theology and creative liturgies. But also the church is a bastion of social action especially on issues such as attitudes to asylum seekers and regularly holds demonstrations against current Australian government attitudes to Asylum seekers, Aboriginees and immigration. It is part of the Progressive Churches network and is used to hold large meeting on this theme. The congregation were mixed and inclusive. The service was conducted by many people especially in the intercessions. The sermon was given by the current minister Dr Margaret Mayman and was challenging. The Peace was welcoming. At the end of the service visitors were introduced and again warmly welcomed. A discussion on the cost of housing in Sydney was then conducted within the context of the Sydney Alliance and the UK Citizens Alliance work. As a homeless man died on the steps of the church homelessness is now a personal issue in the church. A couple offered me a lift back to Curl Curl. A very good experience.
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