 |
|
Bishop Ron visits Kenmore for the last time before he retires |
From the Rector
Dear Friends
As I write this letter I give thanks to God for gentle rain falling outside (answers to lots of prayers). As we move steadily towards Advent and Christmas, the seasons of hope and joy, we pray that the rain will continue to fall, blessing the land, and the lives and livelihoods of all in desperate need of this God-given, life giving substance. We have taken this so much for granted in the past, but hopefully will no longer treat it so carelessly.
This issue of Logos, as is the custom, brings us stories and news of the life of the Parish over the past few months. We have a very busy Parish, and I thank God for the gifted people who offer themselves, their time, and their talents to enable the great things that happen in ministry and mission in this corner of God’s kingdom to continue. But for the people, the Church would not be.
Our Property and Maintenance Committee and Parish Council have been busy over the past few months categorizing and costing a number of fairly significant maintenance issues that lie before us. The list includes relaying the pavers in the courtyard at Holy Spirit Kenmore, which have become very uneven due to tree roots displacing them, as well as correcting the displacement of the garage doors on the old Rectory due to the same cause. The tree root problem will itself have to be addressed. Another two items are the deteriorating fascia boards around the building at Holy Spirit, and the concrete cancer that is in the hall supports. These are costly items, but it is important that we begin to set a programme to address these issues and begin to both fundraise and call for donations to enable them to proceed. There is a real tension that we have to live with, in being concerned with the practicalities of wise stewardship of buildings and grounds, and yet ensuring this doesn’t overshadow our reason for being – the deepening of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the growth of our spiritual lives so that we may grow in love and service of God and God’s people.
I am delighted that our hopes for growing our children’s, youth and families’ ministries are coming to fruition with the welcome arrival of our new Children’s Youth and Families’ Minister, Reverend Lorraine Dawson. In just a few short months Lorraine has made a big impact in these areas with the weekly Sunday afternoon gatherings for the teenage group, some lovely creative liturgical work in the 9am Service and the new initiative of a Christian playgroup for the 0-3 year age group and their parents in the New Year. There are also plans to look at ways to embrace the post high school age group in the New Year as well.
Our Teenage Confirmation programme will begin again in February with Confirmation at Easter. If you have young people from the age of 15 years who are interested in Confirmation, please let us know.
It will be sad to say goodbye to our Ordination Student Jane Mitchell at the end of the year. Jane has been with us for 18 months, and it has been a privilege to be part of her journey. She will have a different Parish placement for her final year, and we wish her our love and God’s blessing as she moves on.
On a personal note, as the year draws to a close, I look forward to a gathering of family and friends for a Big “O” birthday and, in particular, the arrival of our daughters and their families from Perth and Sydney. It will be wonderful to all be together again. I will also be celebrating four years in the Parish in November.
On behalf of my fellow Clergy in the Parish, the Wardens, and Parish Councillors, and Paul and all our family, I wish you all a wonderful happy and Holy celebration of the birth of our Lord, preceded we pray, by times for stillness and reflection during the beautiful season of Advent.
I leave you two quotes about Advent and the Christmas event to ponder on, which made an impression on me:
The Season of Advent is “a time to slow down, explore the mystery, walk in the darkness of expectancy, set foot in the world of God’s possibility.” (Dave Tomlinson “Running into God – Reflections for Ordinary Days”, 2004)
“At a certain point in history, Jesus Christ himself left the marvellous fellowship of the Trinity and the worship and the adoration of the angels, he wrapped himself in human flesh, and he walked across the cosmos in order to stretch out a hand to people like you and me…he stepped across time and space to rescue us.” (Bill Hybels “Just walk across the room”, 2006)
Love and Blessings,
Rev Bev