Refugee Sunday: Each year at this time we celebrate the strength and courage of refugees and displaced people who with immense stamina rebuild their lives in another country. Many of us perhaps have stories of our own families crossing the world to make a new life here. Please make this a special time to pray for all people who seek refuge from harm and to share what we can with refugees who need food, shelter and care today. In the same week that 600 who’d come in an overloaded fishing boat from Libya were drowned off the coast of Greece, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) released alarming new figures stating that 108.4 million people were displaced in 2022. The smuggling industry thrives on the desperation of people trying to escape rape, torture, kidnapping, murder and persecution, and anxious to find safety, loved ones and new opportunities. You can support Christian World Service’s Operation Refugee supporting refugees from Afghanistan,  Palestine, Syria and Ukraine here. https://cws.org.nz/donate-operation-refugee/

Clergy Conference: It was a great experience to spend 2 1/2 days at College House this week sharing in our annual Clergy Conference. I particularly appreciated being back worshipping in the newly restored Chapel after 45 years! And enjoyed the art works of the Alex Baird Collection of Contemporary Art as we made full use of the site. We had a State of the Diocese address from Bishop Peter on Monday, then he led us in retreat on Tuesday, during which I enjoyed a nostalgic walk through the Ilam Fields and Staff Club! Wednesday we had sessions on reaching Millennials (those now aged 27-41), and Children & Young People. We heard about Change Leadership and Digital Mission, had an excellent critique of our Diocesan Mission Action Plan from Chris Clarke, and heard about Mark Chamberlain’s whistlestop trip to the UK checking out fresh expressions of church. Andrew and I have come back a bit weary but refreshed and energised too! Arohanui, Jenny