Nourishing Faith: Food for the Journey
On this page we have Gospel Conversations, links to resources for all ages... plenty to nourish and inspire.
This week's Gospel Conversation (chat): Advent 4, Mathew 1: 18-25
We're moving into our holiday-time mode of conversation now until the end of January. Less structured, sometimes going a bit off topic as any friendly conversations do. Four friends gathering for an evening and chatting about all the readings from Advent 4 to the end of January. We would love you to drop in and join us as we put a new one up each week.
This week, the birth of Christ according to Matthew. What do our panelists make of this? As a bonus, we've attached at the bottom of this article a Lectio Divina resource you can use based on this passage.
Watch this week's Gospel Chat here
Go to Bishop Anne's YouTube channel and subscribe for future chats for the holiday period.
Last week's Gospel Conversation: Advent 3, Matthew 11:2-11
Joy! That's the candle we light on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. And yet the reading is a tough one. John the Baptist, whom we met courageously proclaiming the Kingdom of God last week, is now in prison and unsure. Where is the joy in that? Lisa Emerson, Simon Martin, and Anne van Gend join Michael this week to puzzle it out together.
Watch the Conversation here
... but wait, there's more! In the pre-Christmas rush and confusion around squeezing things in, we ended up recording two "Advent 3" conversations rather than a 3 and 4. Long story. We'll see if we can round up people to record an Advent 4 one next week, but in the meantime, here's a bonus one for you all! It's a great conversation and another whole set of insights into the nature of Jesus' ministry and where John the Baptist, great and confused, fits in to it all. Welcome to Chris Dodds for his first time with us, and welcome back to the wonderful Kelvin Wright and John Franklin!
Watch the Extra Conversation here
About Gospel Conversations
"Gospel Conversations" are informal discussions about the Gospel reading coming up the following Sunday in our lectionaries. We gather (usually) a range of people to take part, from around our diocese, our Province, and the wider Anglican Communion: clergy, laity, theologians, explorers. We are not all experts, we don't all agree with everything that is said, but we hope that by putting a range of ideas out there for you, this might aid your personal devotions, your sermon preparation, or your home group. In 2026 we are going to branch out into the Old Testament readings and explore the gospel there. Watch this space!
Josh Garrels "Shepherds Song"
Tuesday 9th December has the following gospel reading from Matthew 18:12-14:
What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Have a listen to a contemporary (2016) song from Josh Garrels that explores the shepherd theme ... or listen (and read the lyrics) in Pray As You Go.
How about a contemporary take on the carol "what Hope is This"?
Have a listen to this from One Hope Project:
Different brains in the body of Christ: neurodivergence at church
By Karen Elliott
Being in an Anglican church can have advantages for the neurodivergent person. Have a look at this article published in the Diocese of Nelson Koreo.
Church Year Seasonal Resources
Check our our Advent and Christmas resources.
Resources for Children
The Children, Young People and Family Resource Hub has resources we add to to as they come to hand.
Explore Our Shared Google Drive for Children & Youth Ministry Resources
If you're involved in ministry with children, youth, or families, don’t forget to check out our shared Google Drive—packed with resources to inspire, equip, and support you in your work. Click the "Leaders Resource" red banner on the webpage.
A final reminder of our latest Diocese of Dunedin Resources:
Nourishing Faith Hub – resources to support your faith journey, including material for children, young people and families.
Seasonal Resources Hub – updated for the church year, with material for children, young people and families.
Deepening Faith – including Anne Gover’s extensive study notes (Dropbox folder HERE).
Gospel Conversations – weekly reflections and discussions (website link).
Faith Communities Videos – music, seminars and parish stories on our refreshed website.
About Nourishing Faith – videos and supporting resources
We update this article each fortnight with new resources, and the Nourishing Faith mailing list sends a weekly email summary.
If you have a resource worth sharing, please contact John Graveston or Andrew Metcalfe.
Subscribing to Nourishing Faith
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