Vicars Letter 29th august 2025

Rev Guy Benton

 

Kia ora, All Saints

It's great to be back in Hataitai and amongst you all again. Our family had a wonderful time away with friends. We spent time amongst the mountains skiing, we fellowshipped together, and we had the privilege of spending time with a young person we had spent some time with many years ago, which was such a gift. The bit we love the most is the stories of adventure we all come back with, which usually start with "Do you remember when ...... happened". 

One thing that happened while we were away was that between the families a couple of our youngers not only developed and grew in confidence in their skiing but also their confidence to go up and down the Tbar (a type of lift) on their own for the first time, which lead to an opportunity to ride the gondola (main lift) by themselves (there were parents at the top and bottom roaming around). My dad heart was on one hand nervous and worried, and then on the other hand absolutely full of pride and joy for them as they tried new things and gained independence. 

This, I think, is a small snapshot of our community here at All Saints, what does it look like to create spaces of discipleship and growth in our faith with one another (the skiing bit), and then what does it look like to develop and grow our leadership, apostolic, reaching out in confidence (riding the chairlift independently)? I have had several conversations this week about what it means for us as a church to have our pathways of discipleship, leadership, and taking groups of people on a journey of faith and adventure, from groups like youth group and children's church to missional communities and House Churches, or more evangelistic like Alpha or Mainly Music. 

I spent Wednesday at a Laidlaw College Leaders day here in Wellington and the overall theme was about spaces of renewal, the things that keep popping through are having prayer as your engine room, being brave to be out in your community and not afraid to present yourself as a jesus follower and sharing how thats changed your life, and doing it with others with the intention of passing the faith along. 

Someone on the way presented the idea that it feels like it's starting to rain, you know that moment before a downpour when you start to feel the rain. The sense is that renewal is coming and that it's starting to rain. 

Where are you seeing God at work amongst you? I know I'm hearing loads of stories in our parish of God at work, through Alpha, Mainly Music, overseas families, financial, and loads more. 

A reminder that we have our AED Quiz fundraiser this Saturday, 30th August. Use this as a Go Sunday option to bring a friend along and get involved.

Love in Christ