1984 School Magazine

@hanhngrvq futu

THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY A Sermon preached by Rev'd Fr. Alan Dale B.A. (Hons.) B.Ed. MACE in the Cathedral Church St. John the Evangelist. t ln the name of God; Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen. t This service was advertised as an Ecumemical occasion for the whole school community and as such might be expected to embrace not only the Christian Churches, but other faiths as well. Why then a sermon preached under the invocation of God the Holy Trinity during a decidedly Christian service, in a specifically Anglican Cathedral? We are living in a time when Christians (and most of us come from that background) are not only talking reunion on a number of levels, but also actively practising unity. One of the ground rules for doing this is to becorne involved in each other's traditional forms of worship and to look to what in those traditions is commonly acceptable rather than what divides. lt is in services such as this adopted form of Evening Prayer, that Christiarrs of many denominations are finding or rediscovering an ancient and essential unity. We are living in a time when Christians and those of other faiths are reaching out to discover common ground; learning and gaining f rom other insights into truth; learning to walk together along the way to God. We are still frequently told that this is a Christian Country. This has never been true and it is not true now. Australia is a pluralist, Multicultural society which perceives many paths to truth and it behoves all of us to be aware of, and to come to grips with, that fact. The motto of lndonesia is Unity in Diversity. ln late twentieth century Australia, I believe that we need to develop a similar outlook for two very valid reasons. Firstly, because it is the only positive, practical approach. Secondly, because as a Christian, I believe it is the only way to properly apply the Christian ethic of community. From its foundation, the Girls' Grammar School has stressed liberal education. Liberal education involves exposure to the broadest possible range of cultural experience and as the Modern Historian Arnold Toynbee insists, it is not possible to really comprehend any cultural system at any time in history, unless one understands the core of religious concepts, beliefs and values around which that culture has developed. Unity, be it religious, social, cultural or political, is not achieved by ignoring or denying real differences. lt is achieved by tl're understanding, appreciating and respecting of those differences while at the same time looking for common ground. Unity is not achieved by I would suggest that there are a practical and philosophical reasons so. number of good why this should be