Vicars Letter 19th December 2024

Rev. Summer Benton

Kia ora All Saints Whānau, 

​It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of 2024! I was talking with somebody the other day and mentioned that I couldn’t believe we had already been at All Saints for 3 years and then I realised we are coming to the end of our 4th year with you! In some ways it feels like there’s no way it could be that long since we arrived and in other ways it feels like we have been with you forever. You are truly family to us and our kids, and we love you all so deeply. As with any family, at the end of the year we naturally find ourselves reflecting back on all that has been and all that God has done in this past year. 

2024 has brought big changes to our leadership at All Saints; going from 4 vicars down to 2, and farewelling Ginny and Rebecca from their roles. This change has also brought a sense of new beginnings. We talked about new beginnings on Sunday quite a lot and as I looked around the room God gave me a sense of excitement for all that he is doing in and amongst us. Guy and I can see the ways that God is stirring many of you and drawing you into ministry and leadership opportunities that he’s put before you. 

As a community as well, it’s not hard to see what God is doing at All Saints. This year He has drawn us together as a family and He continues to draw us closer to Him. 

Next year we are focusing on prayer as a church. When we pray we align our hearts and our will to God and doing that as a church aligns all that we do as a community with what God is doing and seeking to do among us. I’m so excited to see what next year brings and how God might use us. 

Guy and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. As we celebrate, our prayer for each of you is that God would meet you and bring you deeply into an awareness of just what an incredible gift Jesus is to us all. 

Ngā mihi nui, 

Summer