Greetings from Canon Mark!

Heavy cloud of Covid

We come to the end of another week with the cloud of Covid hanging more heavily over our nation. It feels very much as if the health professionals and people of the upper North Island are fighting a kind of rear-guard action, trying to contain the spread of Covid, all the while trying to increase vaccination rates. We pray for the success of 'Super Saturday' and other initiatives that seek to increase the vaccination rates in our various regions so as to 'get ahead of the curve' and limit both the number of people infected and the stress on our health system.

Call to vaccination

This week I have sourced a number of articles on the importance of vaccination at this time. Especially read the sermon by our own Dean Lawrence but also the Stuff article where Rev Dr Graham O'Brien, Dean of Nelson Cathedral, speaks about loving our neighbour by getting vaccinated. Graham is a long time friend and has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Graham is also co-chair of the InterChurch Bioethics Council.

Knowing the joy of Christ

Look also at two further articles that are intended to feed our hearts and minds during this pandemic. The short talk by Chris Goswami reminds us of the quintessential Christian quality of joy - that in spite of the challenges of Covid, we can find in Christ peace and joy that transcends our circumstances.

Keep Safe?

Famous biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann has also written a challenging piece engaging with the ubiquitous 'Keep Safe' slogan. Although he's supportive of all we can do to keep ourselves safe from Covid during this pandemic, he reminds us that following Christ has never been especially safe. He reminds us that "Risks must be run, generosity must be performed, forgiveness must be enacted, and hospitality must be embraced" and this can sometimes involve risk.

Tickets on sale

Just a reminder that tickets to the 'Beautiful Gardens of Fendalton' garden tour are now on sale. Click here to buy them on-line or find more information in a separate article. We are praying for good weather and no further restrictions! Thanks so much to the ten property owners who are working hard to have their gardens looking at their best. And special thanks to our major sponsor Harcourts and other sponsors Bell Lamb and Trotter, Ballantynes and Inside-Out Design. Sponsorship enables all the expenses to be covered so all ticket sales will be going to the Hall renovation project.

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