Kia ora, All Saints. 

This week, as we walk into week 5 of Lent, I am acutely aware of disappointment, grief, comfort and community. This week's reading invites us into the story of Jesus and Lazarus and Lazarus' family. Luke 11:1-45

Those in House churches please read John 9:1-41 as we dive deeper from last week.

There is death, grief, comfort, hope, and all of this happens amidst community and family. 

We experience these things all the time, some more powerful and impactful than others. Do we try to do it alone? are we trying to gain, clutch, or grab anything we can from it? 

In case anyone thinks otherwise, my family and I are not immune to suffering; in fact, I often find myself asking the Lord for a bit less. But what I notice is that when I/We can lean into the suffering with Christ at the centre, and wholly seeking to lift each other up, that suffering does disappear, but there is much to be found in it. A closer relationship with Christ, small moments of what are arguably spiritual disciplines, joy (yes, joy in the middle of pain and suffering), laughter, learning, discipline, challenge, and eternal hope that the things of this world will one day be healed and restored. 

I found myself today (Friday), in a bible study with our Mainly Music team, thinking in all of this let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. And may I be lucky enough to participate. 

As we walk towards the cross at Easter, let us walk alongside each other in community and family as we push and pull each other closer to Christ. 

There are a lot of things to take note of in our Newsletter this week. 

Please take note of the Chrism Service coming up at 7 pm on Monday, 30th March at St. Peter's on Willis Street. 

Also, the Move on Vigil on 29th March outside the cathedral. 

If you have any questions about things, please do not hesitate to reach out to either Nickie or me. 

Much love, 

Kia ora, All Saints. 

This week, I have been reflecting on times in my life when there has been pressure to explain my faith or when people have questioned it. Have you had this happen to you? I reflect on this because this week's reading really brings into sharp focus that decision and or choice of whether you will side with Jesus or not. 

This weeks Lenten reading picks up Jesus and the Blind man, and his parents, where there is a real confrontation and the squeeze comes on about who Jesus really is and the validity of his actions. 

The reading is John 9:1-41 and you might like to have a read prior to coming on Sunday in preparation for the teaching. 

I think this comes back to a wider conversation that we are having in our Parish about our journey of spiritual formation and what our foundations and experiences in Christ are. When the rubber meets the road, are we going to side with Jesus or not? 

As we have been talking about during Lent, what are these conversations Jesus is having, revealing to us? What are we listening for? 

I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday for 9 am and 10:30 am Central Gatherings, where we will worship, pray, open the word of God and gather around God's Holy Table for communion. 

A few notices to look out for. A reminder to get Easter services in your calendar. We have our Financial AGM on 29th March, where we will approve this year's budget.

If you are not in a House Church already and are interested in being in one, please fill out this form. 

Much love, 

Kia ora All Saints. 

This week, as a Diocese, we have our annual Ministry Leaders Family Camp. Where, as a Diocese, many of our ministry leaders and teams, plus their families, gather for worship, teaching, prayer and time together. It really is a powerful and wonderful time of the year. 

I have been praying for not only those of us going to All Saints but from around the Wellington Diocese and have felt a real burden to be praying for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit, particularly for those who are weary, or maybe a bit cynical. Praying for the word of God to come alive and present afresh and new. The main speaker, Kevin Denholm, Chaplain to the film industry, will be speaking on disappointment and how we respond to that in Christ without trying to shunt over it. Our passage for the weekend is Luke 24:13-35 the road to Emmaus, where those who thought all had fallen apart are met along the way by Jesus. 

My question to us is, what's our angle and what do we go to when life is hard, or the "joy" has run out, or we are feeling cynical? Or we feel a sense of shame for maybe not getting it, or wanting to ask a question? The answer is, back to the source, back to the one who paid it all for us, back to the one who, across the arc of history, has never stopped telling us how good we are. 

As we journey through Lent and these conversations Jesus is having with people, keep an eye on the way their situation is presented with an opportunity to find freedom and liberation, not to have the suffering or trial removed, but to find the true hope and joy amongst it. As we walk towards Easter, when we sometimes wonder if the bottom of the basket has fallen out, remember that it is Jesus who meets us on the road, and our hearts come alive. 

A reminder that there is a 9 am service this week. NO house churches meeting in the centre, and please check with your house church leader if it's on if you meet in a home. 

Check out any other news in our e-news this week. 

Much love,