Christ is risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!
Ascensiontide: On Thursday we celebrated the Ascension of Jesus, 40 days beyond Easter where Jesus entered beyond space-time the presence of God. Our prayer over the next week is Come Holy Spirit as we pray for the Spirit of Jesus to be sent afresh upon the Church that we might better live as the Body of Christ here on earth. I’m reminded of the medieval Spanish mystic St Teresa of Avila’s great prayer: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.”
Staff & Vestry Afternoon: On Sunday 21st we will have a 3 hour gathering of our staff and Vestry as we meet together to plan, pray and share fellowship together. At Vestry during the week we were visited by our Archdeacon for Regeneration and Mission, Mark Chamberlain, who gave us a presentation on the Diocesan Mission Action Plan (DMAP) with his customary energy and enthusiasm. He certainly got us ‘revved up” as we work towards a new Mission Action Plan for our parish, watch this space!
Do keep us in you prayers as we meet.
Pentecost: Next weekend we celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit to the Church, sometimes called the birthday of the Church, as the Spirit launched the church into mission in Christ’s name. Messy Church will be gathering on Saturday 27th afternoon with the theme “Stronger Together” - do come along and join in the fun, faith, food and fellowship together!
Then at all our services on Sunday 28th we will celebrate Pentecost—it’s a great day to wear your flame colours, red, yellow, orange… it’s a wonderful day of celebration, colour and joy to cheer up the winter weather. Come, Holy Spirit!
Arohanui, Jenny