Vicar's Letter - 18th October 2024

Rev Guy Benton

​Kia ora All Saints 

Guy here this week. I have spent the week in awe of how God moved on Sunday. The palpable sense of God's presence amongst was energizing. As I continue to revisit the prophecy from Ezekial, where God calls Ezekial to call out to the dry bones, and they turn into corpses, God then calls Ezekial to call on the spirit of God to come, and the bodies come alive. May we be people who are crying out for the spirit of God to come! May we see people come alive in the presence of God! 

We are fast approaching Advent and Christmas season; my encouragement to us as a church is to not miss what God is doing amongst us or calling us into as we prepare for the rush of the world in this season: all the parties, calendar planning, or family preparations. Let us be present in the now and toward the future. Recently I have been involved in several conversations about where people feel God is calling them to step out or into spaces here at All Saints next year. This is so exciting: opportunities involving missional communities, formation classes, deeper understanding, and involvement in prayer. As we prepare for the end of the year my challenge to us, if I may be so bold, is to seek the Lord with a fervent heart as to where or what he is asking us to participate in here in the life of All Saints, that might be something new with a team of people (never alone) or it might be right where you are, as you strengthen and grow a ministry, let us not be a passive people who are content with drifting along. 

Just a reminder that this week is 9am and House churches, the following week Oct 27th is Go Sunday with our annual Light Party happening. Please head over to the spreadsheet by signing up for a place to serve and getting involved. 

Summer, Adam and I covort your prayers this weekend as we are at Synod, pray that we would have a time of connection with others around the diocese and that we would see and hear God at work amongst some of the more business aspects of the institution. 

May you go about this week with strength and trust in the Lord.

Yours in Christ