Vicars Letter 27th June 2025

Rev Guy Benton

 

Kia ora All Saints

The last couple of weeks since Easter, we have had a focus on the Holy Spirit through Pentecost and then, of course, on Trinity Sunday, and then last week, we had our friends Julia and James Coleman preaching on prayer. During the sermon on Trinity Sunday, we explored how the world is in decay and that the Spirit breaking through is the first fruit of what is to come when Christ redeems the world. 

Today (Friday, 27th June), the lectionary reading is from Romans 8:18-30 which is that very passage where Paul talks of creation groaning, and even those of us who have had the first fruits groan as we eagerly await Christ's redemption. 

As I was praying for us all for this coming week, I couldn't help but think how powerfully this sits amidst our rhythm (all be it sometimes uncomfortably or confusingly) of Go Sundays, where we stand together and say that yes, we Worship in the Temple, yes we worship in the Home, but we also recognise that we need to be Out there with our communities. The world is desperate for Christ's love and redemption, desperate for the Kingdom to break through and heal, desperate for homes, families, minds, and hearts to be loved, healed, liberated, and brought back into relationship with the one who created them. 

So let those of us who have tasted the first fruits of the Kingdom through the Spirit go out this Sunday in whatever way we are connecting with others, whether it be Food for Thought, Litter Blitzing, Coffee with friends, creating spaces of hospitality, or prayer walking. Lean into the difference, ask the Lord to show you something of his Kingdom, be prepared to be surprised. 

We pray your Kingdom come on earth as in Heaven. 

By way of reminder, there are NO Central Gatherings this Sunday; we are all charged to GO OUT! check your inboxes for a special email about Go Sunday if you are wondering what you can participate in or check out the main e-news. 

We hope and pray there are stories to share of how God used you. 

Love in Christ