GROW: At the start of the year, and in seeking to adjust to life without Craig Fairhall, some extra financial resource from the church budget was put into Grow, our evening congregation, specifically in the form of paying Lynne Taylor another four hours a week to provide leadership. I sat at the back last Sunday evening praising God for the wisdom of this decision. Numbers are up, including children and young people. Visitors felt welcome, the teaching was high quality and some exciting testimonies of growth were shared.
EASTER CAMP: If you want to see a happy youth leader, ask Bob or Diane Jaeger about Easter Camp.
BECKENHAM: There was much positive feedback from Opawa and Beckenham churches meeting together for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This Sunday morning I preach at Beckenham, while Richard Smith is preaching at Opawa. As part of my sermon, I will be seeking to communicate Opawa’s multi-congregational approach and offer some reflection on how that might guide our thinking going forward. Then this Wednesday, as a church, Beckenham are meeting with Rodney Macann, national Baptist leader, as they pray and reflect on our proposal.
Opawa names suggested for a joint task force (to consider being one church in two locations with multiple congregations) include Pete Majendie, Brownyn Haussman, Lucy Taylor, Kevin Richardson and me.
CHURCH MANAGER: The interview panel continues to work on this. It is not proving easy. Please pray for clarity regarding the right person. Give thanks for Deirdre’s flexibility and willingness to continue while we look. In her wise words “It’s important Opawa find the right person.”
The leaves starting to fall around Christchurch are a reminder that winter is coming. Let me update you on some longer-range church planning as we head into winter.
1: Mid-winter chill out - As a church we can get quite busy, and feedback last year indicated a need to build rhythms of rest and work into our church life. Hence the mid-winter chill-out and the encouragement that between the weekends of June 27/28 and July 11/12, our congregations, ministries and small groups deliberately plan to do less and to simply enjoy being together. Soup recipes will be provided, in the hope we can “chill” by warming ourselves around winter soup.
2: Location! Location! Location! Missions here and there - Mission week Sunday July 19- Sunday July 26. An invitation for all our congregations to focus on mission, with weekday evenings set aside for prayer. Various mission enthusiasts will be our guests, including Peter and Lynley Capon from tranzsend.
3: Growing in Christian life - Winter is a time for being inside, and so is a natural time to consider our inner lives. Christians have many ways of connecting with God and a winter sermon series is being planned to introduce various Christian practices that help us connect with God. Are there seven volunteers willing to help? Specifically, to try a new Christian discipline for the next three months, record the ups and downs, and share, as appropriate, during the sermon series. Let Steve or the office know if you are interested.
Palm Sunday begins the week of Easter. Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem for what will be the biggest week of his life, as he faces the cross.
This art piece (printed in the newsletter but not reproduced here), by Australian, Jan Haynes, is asking us to consider what Easter week means to us.
Are we a disciple, following behind Jesus, nervous yet committed?
Are we a celebrator, holding a palm branch, ready to welcome Jesus?
Are we an onlooker, like the kid with a bike, wondering what the fuss is? If so will we stay and learn more? Or bike on?
Such is the challenge of Palm Sunday and Easter week.