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Please follow the advice of the Ministry of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage and Anglican Diocese of Wellington
Please follow the advice of the Ministry of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage and Anglican Diocese of Wellington
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God is faithful
Tim Handley, 17 May 2020 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NIV) Every morning on our walk, we pass a car with the registration plate, “4 GOOD”. I do not know why the car owner has chosen that statement. As for me, I am reminded each time I see that car that God is faithful and just. If I am having a bad day, 4 GOOD helps me to remember the big picture of how God has worked in the life of people since history began. I can think about some of the special stories of how God has worked in my own life from its very conception. I do not need to see one bad day or perhaps several, as a sign of my doom and demise. But rather I can see the overall pattern of Gods goodness to me throughout my life. If I am having a good day, 4GOOD reminds me to be thankful for the love that God has lavished upon me and everyone in creation. It helps me to remember that I am a servant in the bigger story of God working to save the world. It helps to restore my faith in humanity, as I am reminded that humans are the practical tools that God uses each day. I am often humbled by the random acts of kindness that come from places I least expect it. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul writes,"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28. In this section of Romans 8, Paul is showing how the whole of God’s creation is groaning and expectantly waiting for Jesus to return. Through Jesus, God has shown his love for the entire creation and a plan to bring all of creation back to its intended glory. These passages remind us that we are a part of God’s big story. Therefore, our present experience of being in lockdown is just as significant to God as any of the other part of history. From the early stories in Genesis right through to the book of Revelation, the story of God continues to our present generation. 4 GOOD can also help us as we look to the future. It teaches us to hold our plans lightly, as it is difficult to know how things will look from month to month. In John Ch. 10, Jesus spoke of being the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep. He reminds us that he cares for us and will lead us. Even if the way ahead is uncertain, Jesus will walk with us. I am aware as I talk to people from the parish and wider afield that it is an unsettling period for many of us. People have talked about having good days and bad days. It is an experience that is common to us all. I have been drawn back to the article that Tricia Hendry wrote in the early days of the lockdown and we will include it again today. It has some helpful points to work through some of the experiences that we face. Kind regards Tim |
Daily Prayers next week on Zoom Please join Corinna at 10am or Tim H at 12.30pm for prayer and readings. Prayer book responses will be on screen. Morning Prayer Monday to Friday, 10-10.30am (Corinna Lines) Join Morning Prayer Zoom Meeting here Meeting ID: 820 985 1957 Password: 381489 Please bring a Bible. Midday Prayer Monday to Friday, 12.30-1pm (Rev Tim Handley) Join Midday Prayer Zoom here Meeting ID: 863 803 7815 Password: 532380 To join Midday Prayer by phone Phone: (04) 886 0026 (subject to availability) Follow the prompts Meeting ID: 863 803 7815 Password: 532380 Night Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come Thursday 21- Sunday 31st May, 8.30pm Join Night Prayer Zoom here Meeting ID: 863 803 7815 Password: 532380 To join Night Prayer by phone Phone: (04) 886 0026 (subject to availability) Follow the prompts Meeting ID: 863 803 7815 Password: 53238 Sunday morning catch up Following the Diocesan service on Sunday morning, you are invited to a Zoom catch-up. This will be an opportunity to see some familiar faces and to discuss the service and whatever else is on your mind. If you do not want to use Zoom, it is possible to phone in and to be present without the picture. After the service grab yourself a cuppa and join in. We will be online from 11.00am. To join us, click here or enter the Meeting ID into Zoom. Meeting ID: 863 803 7815 If you want to be involved by telephone, dial 04 886 0026, then enter 863 803 7815 #, followed by # again. If you have difficulty getting through, call Tim on 027 200 3138 for assistance. |
This Sunday
The Anglican Diocese of Wellington will be live streaming another Sunday service for us to join in with. This week Bishop Justin will be preaching and the service will be streamed live at movementonline.org.nz, on Facebook, Youtube, and Freeview channel 200 on TV. The 'pre-service show' (notices, updates and fun with youth coordinators Guy and Andy) begins from 9.45am.
If you are having problems with the TV quality or movement online, we encourage you to try Youtube or Facebook - it seems like these have been reliable in their audio quality over the past couple of weeks.
If you want to listen to the service via telephone, dial 04 886 0026, then enter 927 4613 4715 #, followed by # again. You can watch any of the previous lockdown Livestreams here.
The Sunday Lectionary readings for this Sunday are Acts 17:22-31, Psalms 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21.
The Anglican Diocese of Wellington will be live streaming another Sunday service for us to join in with. This week Bishop Justin will be preaching and the service will be streamed live at movementonline.org.nz, on Facebook, Youtube, and Freeview channel 200 on TV. The 'pre-service show' (notices, updates and fun with youth coordinators Guy and Andy) begins from 9.45am.
If you are having problems with the TV quality or movement online, we encourage you to try Youtube or Facebook - it seems like these have been reliable in their audio quality over the past couple of weeks.
If you want to listen to the service via telephone, dial 04 886 0026, then enter 927 4613 4715 #, followed by # again. You can watch any of the previous lockdown Livestreams here.
The Sunday Lectionary readings for this Sunday are Acts 17:22-31, Psalms 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21.
Other news
- Youth Groups meeting on Zoom - please contact your youth leader for more information
- Tax Time - Receipts have been issued, if you have not received your receipt, please be in touch with the office.
- All groups meeting at the church are currently suspended, due to COVID-19 and the high alert level. Many of these groups are meeting online or finding other ways to connect, from our own bubbles!
- The Church Office is closed, and staff are working from home. Please email admin@allsaints.org.nz if you need any assistance during this time.
All Saints in Level 2
The parish council met last weekend to discuss how we will approach level 2 as it unfolds. It is important to note that our decisions were based on prayerful discernment as well as the practical considerations and the guidelines of the government and health officials. The practice of discernment also enables us to be open to how God might be leading us into a new future.
The council have decided to not begin regular Sunday or midweek services for the time being. Some of the practical factors that we felt needed to be considered before we could safely reopen our services are,
The parish centre will also remain closed in the short term as we work out the best ways to maintain good hygiene and organize contact tracing systems. The lockbox keys were removed during the lockdown and have not yet been put back in place.
The government restriction on gatherings of no more than 10 people has in affect directed our immediate decisions. As Future rules are amended, we will review these decisions.
Sunday services
The Diocese will continue to provide Sunday services online. The Wellington Cathedral is also providing a service each week. Please see the attached note for further details
Cell groups
The parish council is wanting to encourage parishioners where possible, to join a life group. (Life groups might otherwise be known as house groups, house church, cell group) Bishop Eleanor has brilliant description of the how and why of these groups are important https://movementonline.org.nz/house-churches. (see video below)
This model of gathering is not a short-term option to see us through this present season. Rather it is a longer-term strategy to encourage growth and hope within our parish and the wider community. If you would like to join a Life group within the parish, please contact Tim or Kian for further details.
Wider pastoral support
As well as encouraging the formation of cell groups within the parish, the council is exploring other ways of encouraging support and community contact within the parish. In Luke chapter 5, there is a story of how some men lowered a friend through the roof so that Jesus could heal him. Perhaps, in this season, there are new and innovative ways that we can reach out to each other that are creative and life giving. We encourage you to be creative within the bounds of lockdown rules.
The parish council met last weekend to discuss how we will approach level 2 as it unfolds. It is important to note that our decisions were based on prayerful discernment as well as the practical considerations and the guidelines of the government and health officials. The practice of discernment also enables us to be open to how God might be leading us into a new future.
The council have decided to not begin regular Sunday or midweek services for the time being. Some of the practical factors that we felt needed to be considered before we could safely reopen our services are,
- We have a significant number of people who are vulnerable to Coivid-19
- The physical distancing rules would require our seating numbers to be significantly reduced.
- Being able to develop cleaning protocols so that we can provide the best possible environment for hall users and also guidelines for hall users so that responsibility for hygiene is shared by all.
The parish centre will also remain closed in the short term as we work out the best ways to maintain good hygiene and organize contact tracing systems. The lockbox keys were removed during the lockdown and have not yet been put back in place.
The government restriction on gatherings of no more than 10 people has in affect directed our immediate decisions. As Future rules are amended, we will review these decisions.
Sunday services
The Diocese will continue to provide Sunday services online. The Wellington Cathedral is also providing a service each week. Please see the attached note for further details
Cell groups
The parish council is wanting to encourage parishioners where possible, to join a life group. (Life groups might otherwise be known as house groups, house church, cell group) Bishop Eleanor has brilliant description of the how and why of these groups are important https://movementonline.org.nz/house-churches. (see video below)
This model of gathering is not a short-term option to see us through this present season. Rather it is a longer-term strategy to encourage growth and hope within our parish and the wider community. If you would like to join a Life group within the parish, please contact Tim or Kian for further details.
Wider pastoral support
As well as encouraging the formation of cell groups within the parish, the council is exploring other ways of encouraging support and community contact within the parish. In Luke chapter 5, there is a story of how some men lowered a friend through the roof so that Jesus could heal him. Perhaps, in this season, there are new and innovative ways that we can reach out to each other that are creative and life giving. We encourage you to be creative within the bounds of lockdown rules.
contact90 Hamilton Road, Hataitai, (04) 971 2142
General enquiries: admin@allsaints.org.nz Enquiries about hiring the centre: centre@allsaints.org.nz Sign up to our weekly news © 2020 All Saints Church
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