Kia ora All Saints whānau,

As we met at Parish Council last week we were talking about 'Leading Your Church Into Growth.' Part of the workbook we are working through talked about 'Desire for Growth.' This struck me as something quite important for the church to get a hold of and have as a culture here at All Saints. It reminded me of the Early Church and how they desired so much that others would know Jesus and therefore that growth would happen. How do we build a real desire for the Good News to impact people?

One thing that came up out of our discussion as we have read and discussed these Leading Your Church Into Growth sessions has been that prayer as a church is needed - praying for our church and our world together. Therefore, we have given a first go at producing a monthly prayer resource, so that people can pray for specific things on every day of the month. You can download that below or pick up a copy on Sunday. It is a chance to gather together around God and truly intercede for his will to be done here.

This leads me on to the other big announcement this week, that we have set three dates for conversations about the red brick church. Check out the website below by clicking on the button to get all the information on when and where.

However, the first step of that process is to pray - rightfully so!
So we have produced a little bookmark that you can stick in your bible or favourite book and every time you see it over the course of this year you can pray for our Building process, future of the parish and ministry that will happen here for years to come. You can again download a copy here or we will have some printed out on Sunday.

Lastly, the Parish Weekend Away is coming up in September. We believe this is a great chance to come together as a Parish - all ages. We also want to learn together, have fun together and to have more time to spend with one another. We would love you to come and join us!

We have booked the Elm Complex at El Rancho specifically to help all people be able to participate. It is a flat complex and you can drive really close to your room. Therefore go and check out our camp webpage for all the information and how to register.
We already have had some donations in to help people get there - so if money is an issue please come and see us.

That is a lot to take in and well done if you have made it down to here.
May God bless you and keep you this week and forever more!

Andrew Spence

PS: I won't see you Sunday, I am away this week taking year 12 and 13 students from across our Diocese to experience New Plymouth and learn about leadership. This is part of the Anglican Youth Movement's Stars Programme.

Kia Ora All Saints Whānau, 

Guy and I had a conversation this week, in which we were reminded of the fact that God calls us to himself so that we can go out. He draws us in to support one another in authentic community so that we as a body can go bring the love of Jesus into the world. He draws us to himself for rest, for healing, for anchoring, so that we can be whole as we go out into the world pointing people to God’s kingdom on this earth. In Genesis 12, as God promises to bring His blessings upon Abraham and his descendants he is clear to say that this is so that “all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you”. 

In his sermon this week, Guy is going to be talking to us a bit more about this; about how we don’t strive for authentic community as a body so that we can function well together inside the doors of our church building. And next week I’m going to be taking us into Genesis, the creation and the fall to talk explore more about why it can be so hard to live into the fullness of relationships as God designed them to be. 

I’m feeling encouraged and excited about this journey we are on and the transformation that might come within our part of the Body of Christ, so that we may go out and declare the love of Jesus to those around us. 

Love, 
​Summer

Kia ora All Saints Whānau

Guy here this week. I just want to express how thankful and inspired I am after last weekend's combined gathering. I have spent the good part of the week unpacking so much from our time together: the baptisms, Peter's message, all our kids and what they bring, the smashing of cultures, gathering around God's Holy table together, and, of course, sharing food with one another. 

​What is really sticking with me is how Peters's message around the Body of Christ was spoken at such a poignant moment in our parish life as we really lean into what it means to be an Authentic Community. Peter spoke from the scripture 1 Corinthians 12, referring to the unity and Body of Christ. he teased apart for us how belonging to the body is a critical part of who we are in Christ. We cannot live alone, separate from the body, just as body parts cannot live separate from our bodies but in unity.

This is a powerful moment for me as we start our series on Authentic Community and how we live that out as Christians in our patch of the Kingdom. 

You can watch or re-watch Peters's sermon on YouTube here. 

We are excited about what is coming down the line here at All Saints. 

This Saturday, our new Assistant Bishop, Ana Fletcher, will be installed. Please check the Dioceses website notices for all the details regarding this event. 

We are in the season of Eastertide, which will run us through to Ascension and Pentecost, we will also, during this time, engage with Thy Kingdom Come, where we spend 10 days praying for 5 of our friends and family who don't know Christ. We will also finish these 10 days with a 48 hour Prayer vigil at All Saints. More information will be released shortly. Similar to last year, this will be a time of prayer slots with guided prayer options as we seek God for our world, community, and people. 

This year, we are having a Parish Weekend away (Parish Camp). There is now more information and a signup form for that. We would love for this to be accessible to all of our parish. We have arranged this for all ages and mobility levels. We have guest speakers coming in. There will be worship, fun, and food! Again, check out our notices section to get all the information. 

It is evident that God is on the move here in our patch of the Kingdom. The clutch to all of this is whether we are willing to participate or not. All we can offer is ourselves in participation in what God is doing through prayer, any skills we have been blessed with, and, of course, a brave and courageous heart to profess the hope we believe in. 

Much love and fondness to you all this week. 

If I don't see you at the cathedral on Saturday, I will see you on Sunday at All Saints. 

Much love, Guy

​Happy Easter, All Saints Whānau! He is risen!

This week has been a big one. We've journeyed through Holy Week and have reached the glorious resurrection of Jesus. Our community has experienced joy with upbeat services as we worship together, alongside loss including that of our dear friend Virginia who was a Wednesday regular. The adventure of following Jesus is not always smooth, easy or fair, which we particularly remember during Lent, but it is also an adventure containing deep love, peace, joy and hope as we hold to this faith which both encourages and challenges us.

This week we have another opportunity to worship together in our combined service (10am) followed by a potluck lunch/AGM combo. This will be a great opportunity to cross paths with others in our church family - perhaps you could find out some Easter traditions from different generations or ask some of the young people/young adults how Easter Retreat went (spoiler alert, it was awesome). We also have a baptism (hooray!) which will be partially conducted in the Karen language - so powerful to experience this sacrament in one's native tongue - and Pete Williamson giving our message. Come along, join the celebration, share your joy or be held by your church family if you're not feeling so upbeat. You are always welcome.

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Bless you all,
Emily