Vicars Letter 4th April 2025

Rev Guy Benton

 

Kia ora All Saints

Preperation, Proclamation, Prayer! Three things that I have been thinking about over the last few weeks. Lent is a season of preparation for what? As we walk towards Easter, we prepare our hearts through prayer and repentance, and we often slow down our lives as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' death on the Cross. Easter can be a time of proclamation; why? Jesus has risen from the grave and defeated death! Oh death, where is your sting?! What a joyful thing to proclaim: He's alive! It is a time of proclaiming the good news of Jesus to those around us. Conversation of, what did you do at Easter? Why Easter? What does Easter mean for you? Remembering that Easter isn't just a day but a number of weeks as we walk again towards Jesus' Accession and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, this is a time of prayer; why pray? Pray is our connection with God! This is forming a relationship! This is one of the Silver bullets; it works. Many of you know that from Accession Sunday to Pentecost, we pray alongside the global church in a season of Thy Kingdom Come, praying for five people we know to come to know Christ; we have our annual Prayer Vigil in the center.

As we walk together in preparation for Easter, let us also look towards Easter as a time of Proclamation and Prayer.

Many of you know that in 2025, we are looking at a focus of prayer here at All Saints; we are really excited about a few things bubbling away under the surface that will help us to engage in a meaningful expression of prayer in the Parish, we are also setting so really good Biblical Discipleship pathways for people to go deeper in the bible and how the word of God is alive in our lives today. Watch this space.

We have our House churches and 9am Gathering this Sunday; Easter is coming close. Check out the services that are available across the Easter weekend.

Please accept my apologies for failing to communicate a building update at the AGM, but check out the newsletter for a short update. As always, if and when anything happens, we will let the parish know.

We also had a moment of real trust and vulnerability at our recent AGM, where we noted that the Parish is growing and is pushing the margins on our budget; with our commitment to Mission, Youth and Children, and local modes of engagement, we are looking at a shortfall this year. The challenge to each other was to review our individual giving and consider increasing, start giving for the first time if not already, and propose creative solutions for fundraising.

Click here if you require our banking details to change or start giving; if you have any creative ideas for Fundraising, Parish Council and would love to hear them; you can email the Wardens here.

Much love to you all,