Author Archives: CraigT

Illuminating Faith – Advent Studies on Year B RCL (Isaiah)

These studies are intended for use as Advent studies in the ‘Year B’ cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). They focus on the first reading in the selection for each week, which is taken from Isaiah on Advent 1-3 and, for Advent 4, one of the RCL options around the birth of Jesus from Luke’s gospel is selected. While they are prepared as Advent studies, they can of course be used at any time: our need to hear of God’s approach is not confined to December!

The topics of the studies are:

  • Hope and Prayer
  • God is Coming. And it is the End of You
  • The God who brings Death and Life
  • Mary: The Freedom of the Servant

The content of the studies is in the form of a meditation intended for use as in a read-and-discuss group study setting. Questions for reflection are included to start conversation and the psalm for each Sunday in Advent features as a focus for prayer.


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llluminating Faith studies are occasionally edited for corrections and other minor adjustments. The version date is incorporated into the file name of the download – check that you’ve got the most recent version!


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MtE Update – October 9 2020

  1. The most recent Synod eNews (Oct 8)
  2. If Facebook is your thing, you can add Hotham Mission to your follow list here.
  3. Hotham Mission in the local news this week!
  4. Our online Intro the Old Testament studies begin again this week — you’ll be very welcome if you would like to join us then!
  5. This Sunday October 11 we will wind up our treatment of Ezekiel, drawing from chapter 47 and its echo in Revelation 22. 
  6. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here October 11 – Ulrich Zwingli  

MtE Update – October 2 2020

  1. Our Intro the Old Testament studies begin again next week — you’ll be very welcome if you would like to join us then! Contact Craig for the online connection details.
  2. This Sunday October 4 we will (most likely!) be our second-last treatment of Ezekiel drawing from chapter 34. In addition, we’ll hear Psalm 80 for the day and the set gospel reading see here for some commentary on the Matthew text.  
  3. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here October 4 –  Clare & Francis of Assisi  

MtE Update – September 25 2020

  1. The most recent Synod eNews (Sept 24)
  2. Our Intro the Old Testament studies are in recess now until after the school holidays — you’ll be very welcome if you would like to join us then!
  3. This Sunday September 27 we return Ezekiel for one of the last few reflections we’ll draw from him, considering this time the Valley of Dry Bones! In addition, we’ll hear Psalm 130 for the day and the set gospel reading see here for some commentary on the Matthew text.  
  4. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: September 27 – James Watson  

MtE Update – September 18 2020

  1. Our Intro the Old Testament studies are in recess now until after the school holidays — you’ll be very welcome if you would like to join us then!
  2. See the latest update (Sept 11) as to what has been happening at Hotham Mission
  3. This Sunday September 20 we return Ezekiel for one of the last few reflections we’ll draw from him, considering now some of his more ‘promis–ing’ texts. In addition, we’ll hear one of the set psalms for the day and the set gospel reading see here for some commentary on the Matthew text.  
  4. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: September 17 – Hildegard of Bingen  

MtE Update – September 10 2020

  1. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster  (Sept 8)
  2. The most recent Synod eNews (Sept 10)
  3. The most recent Presbytery News (Sept 9) is here.
  4. Our Intro the Old Testament studies are in recess now until after the school holidays — you’ll be very welcome if you would like to join us then!
  5. A summary of UCA Child-Safe principles and goals, circulated this week
  6. This Sunday September 13 we take a break from Ezekiel and welcome again Matt Julius, who will be preaching on the set texts of the lectionary; see here for some commentary on the set texts.  
  7. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: September 17 – Hildegard of Bingen  

MtE Update – September 4 2020

  1. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster  (Aug 26)
  2. The most recent Synod eNews (Sept 9)
  3. This Sunday August 30 we continue our preaching series following the prophet Ezekiel. The focus text this week will be Ezekiel 16.53-63, with Psalm 119.33-40 and the set reading from Matthew as well; see here for comment on the Matthew text.  
  4. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: September 5 – Mother Teresa of Calcutta  

MtE Update – August 28 2020

  1. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster  (Aug 26)
  2. Next edition of MtW. If you have something you would be able to prepare for inclusion in the next issue of Mark the Word, please let Rosemary or Suzanne know!
  3. This Sunday August 30 we continue our preaching series following the prophet Ezekiel. The focus text this week will be Ezekiel 36, with the set reading from Matthew as well, see here for comment on the Matthew text.  
  4. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: August 31 – John Bunyan  

MtE Update – August 21 2020

  1. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster  (Aug 18)
  2. The most recent Synod eNews (August 20)
  3. Next edition of MtW. If you have something you would be able to prepare for inclusion in the next issue of Mark the Word, please let Rosemary or Suzanne know!
  4. See the latest update as to what has been happening at Hotham Mission
  5. This Sunday August 23 we continue our preaching series following the prophet Ezekiel, although our preacher will be Matt Julius, and student at the UCA’s theological college. The focus text this week will be Ezekiel 18, with the set reading from Matthew as well, see here for comment on the Matthew text.  
  6. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: August 28 – Augustine of Hippo  

MtE Update – August 14 2020

  1. Next edition of MtE. If you have something you would be able to prepare for inclusion in the next issue of Mark the Word, please let Rosemary or Suzanne know!
  2. This Sunday August 16 we continue our new preaching series following the prophet Ezekiel. The focus text this week will be Ezekiel 20, with the set reading from Matthew as well, see here for comment on the Matthew text.  
  3. A brief account of ministry of the saint(s) commemorated this Sunday can be found here: August 18 – Helena, mother of Constantine
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