Vicars Letter 25th july 2025

Rev Guy Benton

 

Kia ora, All Saints

This week I started watched the TV series The Chosen, a TV series depicting Jesus in the gospels, episode two introduces Simon to us, the reason I mention this is that with creative license they depict Simon as a fisherman who is in a spot of bother struggling to pay back the Romans for taxes due, he goes about desperately to try and catch fish at times when he isn't allowed due to law at night and on particular days, in this desperation his wife is suspicious he is cheating on her, when he finally confesses the truth and the situation he is in she rails him for his lack of faith in God and how he is has become desperate and attempting to do things on his own and that this isn't how they are called to live, she gives him an ultimatum that if this is how he wants to go about it he can pack his stuff and leave! Of course, we then see Simon introduced to Jesus, and we get the story of dropping the nets on the other side.

What stood out to me was the powerful, creative depiction of what it looks like when one gets desperate and the way Simon's wife continues to point him to God! She reminds him that before anything else, we are to be reminded that God is with us and that it is he who is the generous giver.
We come into our last week of our generosity series for the month of July. I'm really looking forward to wrapping up our time looking at who we are as followers of Jesus, what we have been gifted and blessed with, and how we give and bless from that place. Our readings for Sunday are Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and Luke 18:9-14. Have a read beforehand, as we will look at these in more depth.
Our next series will be on prayer together. Our hope is that we take another look at some practical steps in our understanding and action of prayer, ways to pray daily, with each other, and how we might actively pray.
If you missed attending our friend Betty's funeral, please find the link to the live stream below. It was an absolute privilege to hold that space for her friends and family.

https://vimeo.com/broadmedia/bettyflorencegurney

A quick note to say that during the month of August, from 16-24, Guy and family will be away on leave. If there is a need at all during this time, please reach out to the office or the wardens.

Love in Christ