Vicars Letter - 12th May 2023

Kia ora All Saints whānau
 
This week we are all back in the room together for our Central Gatherings, the first time since before our Go Sunday a couple of week ago. There are so many wonderful stories that are bubbling to the surface following our time spent out and about, I look forward to hearing some more on Sunday.

I (Guy) have shared here before about our discipleship huddles that are operating in the parish on a regular basis, where we come together to chat through what God is saying to us and what we are going to do about it, we are vulnerable with each other, we are accountable to each other and we are passionately seeking God together. During our time together we also have a space for some input/teaching where we look at some tools for our tool belt in regards to how we are disciples of Jesus and how we build and develop other disciples of Jesus around us.  

Last time our group gathered together a week or so ago we discussed Ephesians 4 which talks about bearing with one another in love and through the bond of peace, we talked about the way God equips us as Teachers, Evangelists, Pastors, Prophets and Apostles, often referred to as the five fold ministry, and finally we talked about what that means as we become mature in these giftings and our faith together with one another.

I have been thinking and praying over the last week for us all here at All Saints about what are the gifts that God as equipped us all with and are we living those out for the kingdom? Not just for ourselves, so that we might become the more mature one or the one whose gifts is exercised the most or looked upon with great desire. But that we might exercise our gifts so that we as a community push and pull each other closer to the Lord and that the kingdom is grown through us.

There is something powerful when we think about the way that all our gifts, when operating in harmony and peace with one another, continue to build and grow more and more. You may see yourself as more of a Teacher, Evangelist, Pastor, Prophet or an Apostle but you actually are all of them, the reality is that you might just sit more comfortable in one of those spaces more than others, so don’t cast of the other gifts because it feels uncomfortable let us challenge ourselves and each other into the beautiful expression of Gods gifts to us as we seek him and his will for our community! Click here for a metaphor on the different workings of each gift.

This week may you be prompted to unravel the mysteries of the was God is using you amongst this community and how we can continue to see his kingdom grow through us.

May I draw your attention to a few things coming up in our community over the next couple of weeks.

Thy Kingdom Come is starting next week. We would love you to take a card that will be available to you this Sunday to write down 5 friends to pray they come to know Jesus. This is a global call to daily prayer for our friends. We will then celebrate Pentecost all together where we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit. Following that we will have a series on the Gospel (Good news) which will lead us all the way through to our next Go Sunday in July where we are still praying for our 5 friends and looking to invite one of them along to a Go Sunday event. We pray that you are up for this journey.

I just want to point out that 28th May is Pentecost where we will have a combined service and baptisms. Wear red if you like to celebrate. We are excited to gather all together with each of you. 

Continue to love each other so well and those around you! Continue to share the stories of where God is moving in your lives, especially those conversations that are popping up about faith in peoples worlds.
 
Come Lord Jesus.

Ngā mihi
Guy