Dear Friends,
Bishop Peter and Teresa take a well-earned week of leave this week – please take the time to pray that they’ll enjoy good rest and recreation. It was a privilege to be with the North Canterbury Archdeaconry group on Tuesday meeting in Amberley. It was great to hear many positive stories of God’s grace at work in so many ways: a number of people seeking baptism (Hanmer Springs); financial improvement (Cheviot); sermon series on the Psalms (Rangiora); vigorous engagement over building improvements (Amuri); challenging but sensitive pastoral work (Glenmark-Waikari); active events group (Kaiapoi); improved parish communication (Amberley); Vicar’s community presence (Oxford Cust); and Pet Service (Woodend-Pegasus) to name just a sample. Our Archdeacons do a tremendous job of encouraging and supporting all our clergy in a whole variety of ways – thank you!
It is tremendously encouraging to see that registrations for the Living Faith Conference on the Saturday of Labour Weekend have now exceeded 250. Parishes coming with large groups include Fendalton (27), Woodend-Pegasus (18), Burnside-Harewood (16), Ashburton (15), and Riccarton-Spreydon (13). 37 of our parishes are represented. We will welcome 11 visitors from the Dunedin and Wellington Dioceses including our Archbishop Justin Duckworth. There are over 30 registrants who are under 18 and 7 family groups will be using the Children’s Space. Now’s the time to make further personal invitations – remember what Rev Harry Steel said, “I’m going to the Living Faith Conference. It’s going to be great! Would you like to come with me?” Information and registration here.
This year the Deeper Camp will take place at Living Springs from Friday 1st to Saturday 2nd of November. This is an event for the whole family and there will be something exciting for everyone! The speakers will be Rev. Harry Newton and Amy Clark together with MC’s Cole Yeoman and Azaria Brooker. Information and registration here. Registrations close on Thursday, 17 October.
Conference speaker Grant Norsworthy will be running a workshop called ‘More Than Music Workshop’ for church musicians on Tuesday, 22 October. As a Grammy nominated song writer and musician Grant serves the wider church through teaching, training and encouraging singers, instrumentalists, technicians, and leaders. The training will take place at All Saints Burwood, 305 New Brighton Rd, Burwood, Christchurch. Information and registration here.
It was announced at Burnside-Harewood last Sunday that Rev’d Joe Keighley will be their next Vicar beginning late January 2025. We warmly welcome Joe, Susan, and their two boys Samuel and Reuben into our Diocese. Joe currently serves the parish of Wairau Valley based in Renwick in the Diocese of Nelson.
All active, serving clergy women are invited to ‘reflections and prayer’ with Bishop Eleanor Sanderson our Living Faith Conference speaker. This will take place on the day before the conference on Friday, 25 October from 2-4pm at All Saints Burwood, 305 New Brighton Rd, Burwood, Christchurch. The topic will be ‘A Flourishing Church and Ordained Women’s Ministry’. Contact Ven. Indrea Alexander on 027 4397 160 for questions or information.
The Gospel Reading for Sunday is Mark 10:17-31. This is a particularly rich passage dealing with aspects of discipleship which is a central theme in Mark. The passage begins with Jesus and the disciples setting out on ‘the way’ – a deliberate reference to the Christian ‘way’ of life (Acts 9:2). A man runs up and kneels before Jesus saying, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus reminds the man that “only God is good.” Has the man perceived more than he is aware of about Jesus’ true identity? The man claims to have observed all the commandments from his youth. Is he lying, self-deceived or sincere? Or is this akin to Paul’s claim in Philippians 3:6? The narrative pauses as Jesus looks at and loves the man. How good are we at pausing and looking with love at the people we serve? The next paragraph expands on the theme of discipleship. Wealth is clearly a problem for the man and hinders his ability to become a disciple. It is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom, but not impossible – “for everything is possible for God.” However, in an age that associated wealth with honour, status and the blessing of God, the disciples are also confused! The only difference is that the twelve, unlike the man in question, have indeed left everything to follow Jesus. Perhaps the whole passage turns on the paradox expressed in the very first verse – “What must I do to inherit…” The truth is that an inheritance is less about doing and more about belonging. True discipleship is about belonging to Jesus’ family and following his way of life which is rich beyond imagining albeit with suffering and persecution. No cheap grace or prosperity gospel for true disciples!
Arohanui,
Ven. Mark.