Dear brothers and sisters,
“We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.” Colossians 1:11-12
We read this verse at our prayer meeting in Westport on Wednesday and prayed in accordance with it. We all need God’s strength, endurance, patience and most of all joy! We don’t know what the year 2022 will bring, but we do know the one who is Lord of all creation, and that he will provide what is needed for the year ahead as we seek to reach out to those around us with his hope and love.
On Monday we moved to the Red setting of the traffic light system, with the news that there is now community transmission of Omicron in New Zealand. This means that the limit for gatherings is now 25 for services and gatherings that are “open to all” (i.e. not checking vaccine passes), and 100 for vaccine pass gatherings. There is a small amount of leeway in the official government advice that says “staff” are not included in these numbers. The government has also announced that from next week masks will be required for gatherings. These announcements will elicit a range of responses within us, but let’s remember that it’s not just churches that are affected by these rules – all gatherings and events are affected. Titus 3:1 says “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.”
Vestry met last night and we will continue to keep the 8am service at St John’s as a vaccine-pass service, with all the other services in the parish as “open to all”. However, from this Sunday we will be allowing people to connect in to the 10am service at St John’s via Zoom. Click on the link here;
“We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.” Colossians 1:11-12
We read this verse at our prayer meeting in Westport on Wednesday and prayed in accordance with it. We all need God’s strength, endurance, patience and most of all joy! We don’t know what the year 2022 will bring, but we do know the one who is Lord of all creation, and that he will provide what is needed for the year ahead as we seek to reach out to those around us with his hope and love.
On Monday we moved to the Red setting of the traffic light system, with the news that there is now community transmission of Omicron in New Zealand. This means that the limit for gatherings is now 25 for services and gatherings that are “open to all” (i.e. not checking vaccine passes), and 100 for vaccine pass gatherings. There is a small amount of leeway in the official government advice that says “staff” are not included in these numbers. The government has also announced that from next week masks will be required for gatherings. These announcements will elicit a range of responses within us, but let’s remember that it’s not just churches that are affected by these rules – all gatherings and events are affected. Titus 3:1 says “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.”
Vestry met last night and we will continue to keep the 8am service at St John’s as a vaccine-pass service, with all the other services in the parish as “open to all”. However, from this Sunday we will be allowing people to connect in to the 10am service at St John’s via Zoom. Click on the link here;
This will become particularly important in the weeks ahead, as some may need to self-isolate at home. It also means that if we reach our capacity limit of 25, others can watch via Zoom in the hall. We tested this set up last week and it gave a good connection using the new livestream technology at St John’s. As always, stay home if you are feeling unwell, and whether you normally worship in Karamea, Granity or Westport you can join in via Zoom.
This Sunday we welcome former vicar Rev Allan Wasley to preach at St John’s. At 9.30am we will have the official opening of the new parish office. Thank you to Marilyn and Margaret who have offered to provide and serve refreshments. Because this follows on from the 8am service, and to allow for increased numbers we are treating this as a vaccine-pass event. The 10am service as always is open to all.
From this Wednesday I will be starting a weekly “drop in for coffee with the vicar” from 11am to 12 noon in St John’s hall. This is open to all and follows on from the prayer meeting (which also is now meeting in the hall). I’ve been thinking for a while it is important to give a time when I am available for anyone to drop in and chat, whichever service or home fellowship you are currently attending. Sunday mornings are often busy and there’s not always time for a long conversation. So please know you are welcome and come along and join in when you can.
Sharon has begun her new role as a Volunteer Ministry Assistant in the parish. This mainly involves ministry in Karamea, but she is also available in Westport as she gains further ministry experience as part of the ordination discernment process. Sharon has now completed her academic study through BTC - congratulations to her as she graduates with a Diploma in Christian Leadership in March.
Ignite Youth starts back on Thursday 10th February, with our Bible Study group meeting 6.30 to 7pm and the full youth group 7 to 8.30pm. Give thanks for the new leaders joining the team.
For the Messy Church team and their families, we are planning a picnic on Waitangi Day, Sunday 6th February at 4pm. Please talk to Matt or Raewyn for further details. Vestry is still deliberating about how the Jesus Kids Club can run at the Red Traffic Light Setting, but we should have a decision by the time of picnic.
I close with another verse we read at the prayer meeting, that reminds us of the centre point of our faith – let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not on the distractions that can intrude all around us.
“Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”
Colossians 1:18-20
Yours in Christ,
Matt
This Sunday we welcome former vicar Rev Allan Wasley to preach at St John’s. At 9.30am we will have the official opening of the new parish office. Thank you to Marilyn and Margaret who have offered to provide and serve refreshments. Because this follows on from the 8am service, and to allow for increased numbers we are treating this as a vaccine-pass event. The 10am service as always is open to all.
From this Wednesday I will be starting a weekly “drop in for coffee with the vicar” from 11am to 12 noon in St John’s hall. This is open to all and follows on from the prayer meeting (which also is now meeting in the hall). I’ve been thinking for a while it is important to give a time when I am available for anyone to drop in and chat, whichever service or home fellowship you are currently attending. Sunday mornings are often busy and there’s not always time for a long conversation. So please know you are welcome and come along and join in when you can.
Sharon has begun her new role as a Volunteer Ministry Assistant in the parish. This mainly involves ministry in Karamea, but she is also available in Westport as she gains further ministry experience as part of the ordination discernment process. Sharon has now completed her academic study through BTC - congratulations to her as she graduates with a Diploma in Christian Leadership in March.
Ignite Youth starts back on Thursday 10th February, with our Bible Study group meeting 6.30 to 7pm and the full youth group 7 to 8.30pm. Give thanks for the new leaders joining the team.
For the Messy Church team and their families, we are planning a picnic on Waitangi Day, Sunday 6th February at 4pm. Please talk to Matt or Raewyn for further details. Vestry is still deliberating about how the Jesus Kids Club can run at the Red Traffic Light Setting, but we should have a decision by the time of picnic.
I close with another verse we read at the prayer meeting, that reminds us of the centre point of our faith – let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not on the distractions that can intrude all around us.
“Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”
Colossians 1:18-20
Yours in Christ,
Matt
Services under the 'traffic light' system
8am, Prayer Book Communion Service, Vaccine Pass required.
10am, Contemporary Communion Service with music, Open to all.
To keep the pattern simple, we will no longer be having a combined 9am service on the first Sunday of the month.
10am, Contemporary Communion Service with music, Open to all.
To keep the pattern simple, we will no longer be having a combined 9am service on the first Sunday of the month.