Vicars Letter - 9th Dec 2022

 Kia ora All Saints Whanau,

This week I had the pleasure of attending the Roast Lunch that Ginny organised. more than 50 people were there and it was such a great joy sharing food together and chatting to all the people who turned up from many different parts of life. There was a reminder at this Wednesday's communion service that although many of us enjoy family and many wonderful gifts, some as they age and get older are more susceptible to be without, far away from or not enjoy Christmas the same way. I hope that things like this lunch are a way we can draw together fun experiences for people in our neighbournood and networks that are too feeling alone this Christmas. Special thanks to Ginny and all those that helped put this together - it was a marvellous event!

This week our Sunday services reading is Matthew 11:2-11. It is focussed around  John the Baptist again. As we prepare the way for Jesus this Christmas may we too be like John the Baptist - someone who showed the way to Jesus. It is a reminder to us all to focus on the idea of what Christmas is all about - the incarnation of Jesus. A god lowers himself to become human in order to rescue the world. What a message of hope that is and an example to live by.

Coming up this Sunday at 7pm is our Nine Lessons and Carols event. It will be an excellent event with the choir leading us in the carols. Please continue to invite friends, family and anyone who may want to come.

We continue to fill our Christmas rosters and your help is appreciated. We are slimming down the roles so there are not as many to fill but it would be great to get a good collective prepared to show hospitality to our neighbours.

Bless you all this week - may you find hope, love and joy.
Nga mihi,
Andrew Spence