For those in the Bendigo region, on Monday night at the Old Church on the Hill, Jonathan will have a discussion with author, Mick Pope, about his new book thinking about the Bible and our current environmental crisis. 7pm, Monday 26th May The Old Church on the Hill All welcome!

"What do the poverty-alleviation programs and projects we choose to fund declare about what we really believe is the good life?" In our final article for Autumn MM, Clint Bergsma from Amos Australia openly and honestly wrestles with the difference between charity and biblical justice when in comes to international aid and personal lifestyle. Read it here: https://mannagum.org.au/articles/How-We-Give-vs.-How-We-Live-From-Charity-to-Justice

"What do you remember about Zacchaeus? How have you been encouraged to respond to his story? Jesus told a parable to Zacchaeus and all who witnessed their encounter. What was that parable? Do you know?" In the first of a series of articles for MM, Deb Storie leverages her doctoral work on Luke 19 to rejuvenate the Zacchaeus episode or us, letting the text challenge rather than bolster standard middle-class Australian perspectives on wealth and justice. Read it here: https://mannagum.org.au/articles/Reading-and-Mis-Reading-Zacchaeus

The fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 50% of this comes from fast fashion - the diabolically rentless turnover over of new clothing lines. Fast fashion is kept cheap by worker exploitation - less than 2% of workers in FF receive a living wage. You can read all about it in this excellent article: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/fast-fashions-environmental-impact/?geo=ww&device=desktop

What do you do for Lent if you're already vegetarian and don't drink much alcohol? Jacob and Andi tried a fast aimed at challenging a central maxim of consumerist society: that acquisition leads to life. How did it go? What did they learn? Read it here: https://mannagum.org.au/articles/Giving-up-Consumerism-for-Lent

"When property becomes a means of hoarding wealth, of exerting power over others, or of pursuing a selfish independence from others, then property becomes improper. Currently Australia is founded on ‘improperty’: how do we transform it?" In his final article in his Christian ethic of property series, Jonathan lays out a positive programme and practice for renewing our approach to ownership and the things we own. Read it here: https://mannagum.org.au/articles/Whats-Mine-is-Ours-A-Christian-Ethic-of-Property-for-21st-Century-Australia