Vicar Letter - 17th March 2023

Kia ora All Saints Whānau.
 
This week as I (Guy) spent time reflecting on where we are in the year I was suddenly struck by how quickly things are moving. We are midway through Lent and before we know it Easter will be on our doorstep. Take a minute, take a deep breath, wherever you are, work, home, in the midst of all your children or drowning in study!
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This week as we enter week 4 of our Lent study with Bishop Justin we take a look at Suffering and Hospitality and how present and connected they are. We might not feel like we suffer much for our faith where we live, maybe we have a bit of rejection every now and then, maybe some ridicule, a bit of mockery, Peter reclaims what has been turned into an insult and proclaims “if you suffer for being a Christian, this is something to be proud of because you’re suffering like Christ” what a powerful statement! Christ truly did suffer for us! That we might have life. Verse 8 says “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” and then in Verses 9-10 the love is worked out as hospitality and an outward posture towards the other, this is the kind of love, present in spite of and in response to suffering, which truly defines the Christian community.

What does it mean to suffer for Christ in our community, how do we spite that suffering continue to show hospitality, love, dignity and respect to those around us. Maybe its people who are hostile to you, people who claim what you believe is false, refuse your hospitality because of your faith, relationships in your family that suffer?

As we come towards Easter where we relive that road Jesus travelled for us where we laid out the greatest act of suffering and hospitality for us all let us reflect on our own journeys, ask yourself what are some of the ways you have suffered for the Gospel? What are some of the practical ways that you have received hospitality from those who are different to you?

With Easter just around the corner, I wanted to highlight some of the easter gatherings.
This year we will have a Maundy Thursday foot washing and stripping of the alter service at 7pm, the Good Friday walk through with our Catholic brothers and sisters will happen on Friday morning, Easter Sunday gatherings will be on at 9 and 10:30. There is loads to get involved in. If you would like to help serve in any of these spaces please feel free to email me vicar@allsaints.org.nz I would love to serve alongside you as we retell the Easter story and make our way towards the cross.

There is also loads of other opportunities to get involved here at All Saints, scroll through the newsletter this week, meals to make for the spences, parties to get along to, communities meals!

Much love to you all! Be blessed in your gatherings this weekend! May the lord be close and maybe you be renewed by the confidence of the Gospel!

Ngā mihi
Guy ​