Vicar's Letter - 6th September 2024

Rev. Summer Benton

Kia Ora All Saints Whānau, 

Over the last week Guy and I have been reflecting what a beautiful day of celebration Sunday was. Andy and Emily were deeply touched at the outpouring of love and support they received from so many of you. There was one thing in particular that Andy said when he spoke during the lunch at All Saints that has stuck with me all week. He was reflecting on the journey that the 4 of us have been on over the past nearly 7 years and summarized his reflections by saying, “so find your people and do life alongside them”. As emotional as it was for us to farewell Andy and Emily and mark the end of our journey of close team with them, the reflection I’ve been having all week is how clear it is that at All Saints we do just that. We find our people and do life alongside them. You all have been doing that for years before we arrived and then this year we have been on a journey of exploring what it looks like to do that even more deeply and authentically as a community. 

The Diocesan nominator that has guided us all through this process of shifting leadership came to worship at All Saints Sunday morning. He came up to me after the service and said that he was blown away at the spirit of love and worship and connection that he felt during our service. He expressed how unique that was and how he hasn’t felt that in other places in a long time. His spirit picked up on the love in the room, the depth of our worship together, and the community God has built at All Saints. I was so proud to be a part of that community he noticed, and we were so proud again when so many from our community came in support of Andy and Emily at their installation at St. Aiden’s. And we have felt that so many times before in the past. Guy and I often look at each other after a big event or significant conversation and say, “I’m so proud of our people”. 

Our journey over the past several weeks has been into the parables and exploring what they teach us about God’s Kingdom. And our journey of authentic community is to learn together how to more boldy and clearly reflect God’s Kingdom to the world. God is moving in our midst and doing bold and new things. That is clear to us, to those who worship with us, and to those around us who catch a glimpse of the reflection of the Kingdom in our people here. 

God has called Guy and I to All Saints to love and serve and offer our priestly leadership. We have never been clearer about that calling. And the heart that God has given Guy and I for all of you is strong and deep. We are honoured and privileged at the opportunity to continue to journey with each of you. You are our people. Thank you for trusting us in the role that we have and let’s look with great hope and anticipation of all that God will do in and amongst us in the future. 

Aroha nui, 

​Summer