Vicar's Letter - 26 Nov 2021

Shalom. 
That word that gets used in church circles, but have we ever stopped to ponder what its’ true meaning is? If you are like me, you’ve heard it a few times and are familiar with the context in which it gets used, but haven’t ever truly dug deep enough to get the full understanding. 

I (Guy) am excited that this week we are starting our journey to Christmas through Advent. What a wonderful treat for us to spend the next 4 weeks preparing our hearts for the arrival of the Saviour of the world. Just has we have been going through Mark asking ourselves, “will we recognise or run away”, we now will journey together to prepare ourselves, with anticipation, for the coming arrival of the one we are challenged to recognise. Peace. Hope. Joy. Love. These are the points we will journey through on the way to celebrating the arrival of Jesus.

This week we are excited to join together as a whole parish for the AGM Thanksgiving celebration to share in all that God has done among us this year, to do some family business (AGM Business) and to share about Gods Peace, his Shalom, and how that wraps into who we are as a people and what we are steering towards as our priorities for 2022.

We are aware that we are fast approaching our new traffic light system for NZ in the coming weeks. Just a heads up that today (Friday) we are expecting communication from the Diocese and Provincial House of Bishops regarding the way the church is looking to position itself regarding gatherings etc. So we will first let our Parish Council know and then we will distribute this to the wider parish as soon as we can communicate that clearly to you all.

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
May you go about this week, and as we gather this Sunday for a gigantic celebration of all God has done and is continuing to do through us, be full of peace. May your heart rest in Him and the wonder and splendour of what is happening around us.

Much love and blessings from your now Co-Vicars,
Guy, Summer, Emily, Andy