We are a bunch of people from a mixture of  Wellington churches, with no fixed agenda except a desire to go after God together.

We want to focus on his beauty, and majesty, to worship the one who heaven calls wonderful counsellor, might God, everlasting father, Prince of Peace.

The Palestinian/Israeli conflict is a continuing tragedy rarely out of global news headlines. As Christians,  it has a special resonance for us as this conflict is unfolding in the land of the Bible.

Often it can be hard to sort through the varied ideas about how Christians should approach the issue. TEAR Fund NZ is committed to exploring the different viewpoints and encouraging healthy debate.

On Thursday May 17th at 7.30pm at All Saints, TEAR Fund NZ presents the film ‘With God on Our Side’ (running time less than 90 minutes), followed by Q and A with the Rev Dr Stephen Sizer, Anglican priest and scholar on both Christian Zionism and the Palestinian Christian community.

The film demonstrates that there is a biblical alternative for Christians who want to support all the peoples of Israel-Palestine, a theology that doesn’t favour one people group over another but instead promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jews and Palestinians.

Entry free. All are welcome. More information from http://www.tearfund.org.nz/sizer/

• Chief Executive of Tear Fund NZ, Steve Tollestrup has issued this statement in response to complaints received about Stephen Sizer’s visit.

May I begin by stating categorically that TEAR Fund:

1. Supports the right of the Jewish people to have a national homeland with safe and secure borders.

2. Considers anti-Semitism as abhorrent and evil.

3. Rejects unconditionally violence and takes seriously Christ’s call to be peace-makers and good Samaritans.

I have had the opportunity to spend time with Stephen Sizer and his wife Joanna over the last week and have repeatedly heard him at length support a Jewish homeland, reject anti-Semitism and urgently calling on the church to be praying for peace.

Stephen’s message is not complicated: Christians have a mandate to see that Palestinians as well as Israelis are also provided with rights and a secure future for their families. Further he (and TEAR Fund ) affirm that the Palestinian church be supported and equipped to be a witness of Christ and a peace-maker in the region.

Stephen was interviewed this week on Radio Rhema. Listen here: http://www.rhema.co.nz/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3792:newsrun-stephen-sizer-interview&Itemid=17

Mark is an evangelist, Anglican church vicar and innovator, and has co-written the Family Time course with his wife Lindsay.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from his experience and be encouraged by stories of God at work in the world.

Saturday May 5th, 9.30am-3pm at St Alban’s Church, 339 Albert Street, Palmerston North. Cost $25.

More information and register at http://newwine.org.nz/events/mark-melluish-and-mark-aldridge/

Sunday 22 April: ‘witnesses’ - 9am: Liturgy and hymns with Sunday School
10:30am: Contemporary service with band, SmAll Saints and Year 7+ group

Junior Youth - resumes on Thursday 26 April, 7-8:30pm for Years 7 - 9

Senior Youth - resumes on Friday 27th April, 7:30-9pm for Years 10 and up.

mainly music is back on Friday 4th May. Register your pre-schooler(s) today on 971 2142.

Our next Sales Table will be on Sunday 13 May during Morning Tea (10-10:30am).

The service and music will be led by young people. All are welcome but it’s aimed primarily at those in the 11-18 age group.

More information from youth@allsaints.org.nz

From 1-5pm, come and wash pews, clear cobwebs, chat to others as we work, polish the timber, work in the garden etc. Fish and chips to finish the day.

We will review the past year at All Saints’ and look to the future. Annual Reports are available from this Sunday - collect your copy from the back of church.

We will hold an election for members of our Parish Council, six of whom will comprise our Vestry. Together with the Vicar, the Parish Council sets and holds the vision for All Saints’, and keeps an oversight over the life of the church.

Come along, have your say, and be encouraged.

If God did exist, what would you want to ask?

We offer you an opportunity to consider some of the big questions of life as part of our Alpha Course.

Running over ten Tuesday evenings for two hours, starting on Tuesday March 6th we enjoy dinner together, followed by a video talk on a theme of the night and small group discussion.

Topics include Who is Jesus? How can we have faith? How do I pray? The Bible, Suffering and What does the Holy Spirit do?
Alpha is for anyone wanting to explore the basics of the Christian faith and courses run all over the world: more than 13 million people worldwide have taken part. See http://www.alpha.org.nz/ for more in depth about the course.
Where? Introductory dinner on March 6th at All Saints Church, then the course follows each week in a local home.
When? Tuesdays March 6th-May 22nd 2012, 7pm-9.30pm. Plus a ‘weekend away’ exploring the Holy Spirit on May 5th-6th.
How much? It’s free, but you may like to give a small donation towards the cost of dinner.
Interested? Contact us on 04 971 2142 or admin@allsaints.org.nz

Here’s what some All Saints people say about Alpha:

• “I found the Alpha course so valuable for the information that it provided about Christianity and what it means to have a relationship with God. It was however experiencing God throughout the course that changed my life forever.” Carlie
• “Although I was a successful business man as I reached middle age I started questioning my purpose in life. This led me to do an Alpha Course which  answered this question in very profound way and opened my eyes to a whole new dimension of meaning. Today, not only do I have a new sense of purpose and much more peace and joy but I have made a whole new group of wonderful friends”. Wayne

• “It’s a fantastic way to gain a solid understanding of Christianity in a safe and supportive environment.
• I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD teachings and the discussion times were a highlight for me, as I felt comfortable asking questions without being judged by anyone.

Alpha really helped me to understand about the amazing unconditional love God has for every one of us.” Michelle