Vicars Letter - 6th October 2023

Kia ora, All Saints,

My week has been full of conversations around the election and how people are deciding who to vote for. It has been interesting for me hearing what issues are on top for my friends, family and colleagues of different demographics and situations, and hearing their hopes for the next government.

Last week's house church we had a great conversation about hope, from Andy's sermon. We talked about how we can show hope to the people around us, and what Biblical hope is. We discussed how the English word 'hope' is often used for something which might happen, but possibly won't, so we hope for it and have to wait and see. Biblical hope is not like this - it is a certainty, something we can hold onto when things are hard. Biblical hope is the surety that God is active in our world and will restore it, bringing heaven and earth together. We have the privilege of being part of this restoration, joining in with God's grand plan.

So what does hope (the Biblical version) mean for you in your life? Does it impact how you make decisions? Who you choose to vote for and which issues are on top for you? What would it look like to help bring heaven to earth for the people around you?

​As you prepare to vote, may you find God in the midst of the issues, hold onto hope that restoration of this world is in progress, and find your part to play in it.

Bless you all, Emily