From Bishop Steven
The latest message from Bishop Steve, including an invitation to everyone for morning prayer on Tuesdays from 9 am via Zoom videoconferencing
Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ
I am wondering how many of us seriously thought that our decision to follow Jesus Christ could involve so much engagement with technology, society, science, sociology, psychology, and the like as it should with theology, ecclesiology, and all that goes with leadership in the church!
Just this year, we as a Diocese – let alone the Province and the worldwide church - are seeing and implementing changes that very few of could have predicted. And all of us are having to reassess what it means to follow Jesus Christ in different ways. Most of us have recognised by now that change is inevitable – even if we can postpone it long enough to keep disturbance to a minimum. And now along with strategies to try and address building needs and often falling congregation numbers we have to ask ourselves how we live and practice our faith when much of what we are used to is experiencing a period of enforced and accelerated change: including whether we can even meet together.
In the UK, this week the Church of England has officially cancelled all public scheduled acts of worship – no open church services on Sundays or during the week. Interestingly there is a call to have church buildings left open for private prayer, and I assume observing the guideline about keeping safe distances from others. Archbishop Justin Welby has asked the church to join in prayer for the nation – seeking God for protection and deliverance.
For some who read these words it can sound a bit like the national calls to prayer, fasting and repentance that were made during times of national disturbance in the middle ages and more recently. And I wonder if something like that is needed again: a widespread falling on our collective knees – more metaphorically for some than others – and seeking God’s mercy?
Our understanding of God changes as we grow in our faith, which should inform our approach to prayer. The scriptures remain the inspired written word of God – but the same Holy Spirit that inspired the writers also inspired the first readers, and I believe continues to inspires readers today: we just don’t do things exactly the same way.
Can I invite as many of you as are interested and available to join me in a collective Zoom meeting of NZPB Morning Prayer on Tuesdays of each week for the next three months? Starting at 9.00am, and aiming to be completed by 9.30.
To join the Zoom meeting please use this link:
(Meeting ID: 815 861 438)
We have found Zoom to be very user friendly and efficient.Please see the website for more information about how to link to Zoom.
Please feel free to invite anyone who might benefit. I am expecting to be following the lectionary with regard to psalmody and readings.
+Steven