The latest in "Gospel Conversations" as well as other resources to sustain you in your journey...

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Gospel Conversations  

This week's Gospel Conversation:

Nov 24th, Christ the King. John 18:33-37

The feast of Christ the King! You may or may not agree that this feast should be celebrated, but as Lisa points out in her introduction, the theme of Jesus as king "bookends" the gospel accounts: from the Magi of Matthew to Pilate in John. What, then, do we make of this profound, if brief, conversation between Pilate and Jesus? Karen Kemp is with us for the first time, and joins with Lisa Emerson, Mannie Marara and Michael to talk through truth, faithful living, and kingship, among many other ideas!

WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE

Last week's conversation: Nov 17, Mark 13:1-8

We're getting to that time of year where all the apolcalyptic parts of the Gospels are brought to our Sundays. This week we have the disciples gaping in amazement at the glories of the Temple, and Jesus telling them calmly that it will shortly be no more than rubble. But that was the 1st Century. What do we learn from this now? John Franklin, Jeremy Nicoll and Lucy Flatt join Mike this week to work it out.

WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE

See all the videos in this Gospel Conversation series on our website

For last year's Conversations, click here.

An Advent Gift!

Faith communities and individuals across the Diocese have pooled ideas to form an online Advent Calendar for anyone who would like to mark our journey to Christmas together. Each day you click on a new door, and find a message, video, photo or idea to connect us with each other, and help us think about hope, peace, joy and love.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE CALENDAR although you won't be able to open the first door until December 1st.

Te Tiriti?

As a hikoi moves towards parliament, what does that, or the Treaty Bill itself, mean for us down in the south of the country? What does it mean for Pākeha as well as Māori? Sometimes we do not realise ourselves why we and others should have such an emotional response to issues like this, but historian Dr Alistair Reese can perhaps help us understand that a little better. Check out his article HERE on Pākeha identity and the Treaty.

Another Advent Resource

The Diocese of Waiapu has created an Advent resource which is free for all to use. They write: "This study has been designed to be undertaken in two different contexts: by groups meeting in parishes or other ministry units (for example, schools or workplaces), or by people on their own to do at home. You might want to do it as a family. It’s happened in response to a request for an Advent study, a way of helping people reflect on this season and what it means to prepare for the coming of Christ."

Access the study HERE or contact Anne on enabler@calledsouth.org.nz

(See further down the article for further Advent ideas or visit our DEEPENING FAITH PAGE where seasonal resources are regularly refreshed!).

Resources from Elsewhere

Bishop Ross Bay (our Archbishop's Commissary) has been on a pilgrimage with the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Aotearoa New Zealand, visiting some of the places of our respective faith beginnings.

Darkness and Light

Possibly not the usual video we would post here, but a really interesting watch (15 minutes). This film is one of several made by young people focusing on a guiding theme of democracy. Inspired by a true story, “Darkness and Light” explores the aftermath of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, delving into ongoing conversations about democracy, justice, and faith that resonate even today. Of the film, London-based director Oskar Nilsson says: “Many people still feel very strongly about the injustices which took place and hence I think my film importantly illuminates how the art of conversation and opening difficult dialogues can overcome adversity.”

Pray the News with Anglican Missions

In a world filled with constant news, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the overwhelming negativity, conflict and need around us. Within those headlines is a powerful place to pray.

Pray the News is a weekly blog published by Anglican Missions to enrich the intercessory prayer life of the church as we pray into the biggest social, cultural and geopolitical headlines facing the world.

We believe that prayer makes a difference and is an active engagement with the heart of God. Sign up to receive updates every Thursday on issues that we can pray into - together.

The Bible Project

Are you familiar with 'The Bible Project'? The Bible Project help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative, primarily through animated video bible studies. They combine beautiful illustration and robust theology into a wonderful resource that connects across generations. 

Our lectionary is taking us through the Gospel of Mark right now. The Bible Project has a great video that gives an overview of the structure and purpose of Mark. Check it out here.

ADVENT

"The Weary World Rejoices" is a rich and varied resource suited for individual, family or faith community use.

It is brought together by Kate Bowler, whom some of you may know of. She has a podcast called "Everything Happens" which explores the experiences of people of faith as they work through times of suffering. The hope which shines through these stories is never "cheap" hope, but hope which faces the reality of darkness with unquenchable glimmers of light.

This resource gives reflections, prayers, and responses for every day of Advent, together with ideas for weekly gatherings/prayer times/study times around the lighting of each Advent candle. There is also a playlist of music to accompany many of the reflections.

The study can be downloaded HERE or you can choose to use her website HERE.

ORDINARY TIME

There is a whole range of new resources up on our Deepening Faith page for "Ordinary Time", together with some new opportunities to study and learn from others. Check it out HERE and be sure to scroll down to see all that is there!

If you’ve been looking for something to use which isn’t Alpha but is aimed at the same sort of audience as Alpha, have a look at 321. It’s a new study series, made by an Australian Anglican priest in London who is making quite a splash as a speaker at the moment: Glen Scrivener. The course takes us through a basic introduction to Christianity in a way that encourages us to question and think, and always come back to Jesus. Best of all, it’s free! Click HERE to go to the website.

Deepening Faith: Children's Spirituality
There is another new course up in the brilliant resource, "Discipleship Pathways." This new, short, free, online course looks at the spirituality of children, and would be helpful for many of us! Whether you are wanting help in understanding your own children or grandchildren, or being ready for when children pop into church, or running a children's programme, it would be worth having a look at this.

There are also courses available on Intergenerational Communities, Preaching on Purpose, Baptism Unpacked, Children and Family Theology and many others. Check them out HERE.

The Deepening Faith webpage has a whole range of  resources. Note that Anne Gover has recently gifted her huge range of study notes to anyone who will find them useful. These are simple-to-use, informative and engaging studies which cover biblical characters, books, baptism and a host of other topics. If you are part of a small group (or would like to start one) these will make your preparation easy! Find them in a dropbox folder HERE.

Faith Communities Videos

See our website for the latest videos

About Nourishing Faith Videos and Podcasts

We have a webpage for our video and other resources but we will also keep this article updated each fortnight with the latest resources that we would like to share with you. We also have a Nourishing Faith mailing list that sends an update of this article to you every week. 

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