Greetings everyone from the ARM!

Since my last email parts of the North Island have been devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle. Let's keep these North Island communities in our prayers as the long haul of recovering begins. Visit Anglican Missions to donate to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal.

NEW TO STIRRING: I have taken the liberty of sending this email to those who attended the 'Leading your Church into Growth' conference in the hope you would find this fortnightly email interesting, informative and encouraging. Feel free to un-subscribe if you don't want to receive it.

COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT: Recently Megan Herles-Mooar invited me to undertake a Communications Audit of All Souls (Website, pewsheet, magazines, social media, livestreaming and email) so they can learn more about this important frontier of ministry and continue to develop. Ethan Wilson-Bruce of Upper Riccarton has supported me. We will make this audit available to other parishes so we can all learn together.

'CONFIDENT CHRISTIANITY': I'm halfway through this self-guided course on Apologetics so I can improve the way I engage with those who ask questions about Christianity. I'll let you know if this is a useful resource when I'm finished - so far it's great!

MISSIONAL BRIEF: I've been making short videos of Anglicans around the Diocese who are developing new, fresh and innovative missional ideas to reach new people - I've called them Missional Briefs because they're, well, brief! They're intended to encourage, seed ideas and spur us all in our response to the Great Commission. Please 'like', 'comment' or 'share' these - so that others will see them.

STATE OF THE FAMILY: Sociologies continue to report on the breakdown of the family in the Western world. I learned recently that in some Scandinavian countries a full 50% of households consist of only one person. Loneliness has become endemic. This is an important missional opportunity for churches because we offer a place to belong for all ages. See the YouTube lecture in this newsletter by Mary Eberstadt for further insight. Contact Emma Tovey at cmd@anglicanlife.org.nz for helpful and experienced support in developing your Children and Family ministries.

Blessings to you all this Lent,

Mark

A Call to Begin Lent in Prayer