Vicars Letter 28th February 2025

Rev Guy Benton

Kia ora All Saints

Guy here this week. I have been reflecting on a few things this week in light of our recent conversations and journey into scripture as a parish. It struck me that on several occasions, across the parish, people haven't been afraid to raise tricky and, at times, confronting topics and conversations with me (some would even say conflict). The result of every occasion (unless I have completely misread the situation, I am, of course, only human), I have walked away feeling like between us, we have built more trust, grown, learned, and felt Christ more present in our friendship and relationship, not to mention in my own life. I have reveled in the beauty of this Authentic Jesus Community. Let me be clear: On all of these occasions, I have not always been right and have even had to apologise.

It is this type of DNA that I believe is attractive, this way of interacting with one another not simply from a secular progressive let's be better, love each other, be kind point of view, but one that speaks truth in each others lives, one that centers itself on scripture and what is God saying to us through scripture, through the words of Jesus and the Apostles.

I'm reminded of the scripture John 13:35 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Be encouraged to walk this out together, be a spirit-filled, Jesus-centered community, and love one another and those who persecute you.

There are a few points to note

• We are back into our 9 am and House Churches this week.  
• Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are next week (4th and 5th of March)
• 23rd and 30th March are 10 am Combined services (Ministry Leader Family camp - 23rd, and Combined AGM - 30th)

If you are not in a Lent Study group, please let me know, as we have a few options available to you.

Much love to you all,