Vicars Letter - 26th July 2024

Rev. Emily Spence

Kia ora All Saints whānau,


This week I've spent a couple of days at a church growth course which has been really encouraging. We have learnt together with mostly un-ordained people and a few clergy across the diocese about the importance of praying for growth, different types of growth, and little practical ways to share our faith with others, remembering that we confidently believe that a life with Jesus is so much better than a life without him.


An accidental stand out moment was standing in the tennis courts at El Rancho in our pyjamas with the others staying overnight at 4:30am for a fire evacuation. We made jokes and grumbled just a little, someone suggested morning prayer (but was strangely unwilling to lead it at that hour of the morning!) and another didn't notice the buggy on the court so asked if we left our babies in the room so they didn't have to wake up (which would have been a very bold move, however tempting it felt given I had just resettled them). We were calm, standing in a circle all looking at each other, and I realised that regardless of how different our church services may look from one anothers', what sacraments we deem as most important, or how effective we each are at growing the Church, we each have a heart to love Jesus and draw others into the beauty of his kingdom. In these little human moments where we see who probably shouldn't have decided to wear a nightie or who cleverly brought slippers, we realise we are all God's children and all on the same mission and our differences in worship and mission styles don't seem so significant.


I think this is helpful to remember about our parish too - we have many different styles of worship and mission amongst us, and many of us are passionate about different issues, and together we make up the body of Christ. The key is that we all seek and work towards growth, and listen to the still small voice of our God to guide us.


So may God bless you this week, and put on your heart someone who doesn't yet know the love and compassion of our creator God, challenging you to speak and act out the faith which is growing within you.


Blessings,
Emily