Grace and peace to you from God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
We serve a wonderful God and there are so many things that we need to be thankful for, I pray that you take the time just to pause and thank God for the gift of life.
With the COVID 19 infection numbers rising at such a rapid rate, we need to be extra vigilant in the way that we conduct ourselves. Please reconsider your socialising activities. Stay safe, sanitise, social distance and wear your mask.
There are lots of rumours going around about Vaccinations. It is the official policy of the Anglican Church to support the Vaccination program and to get as many people as possible to be vaccinated. Do not believe all the conspiracy theories that abound on social media.
The Archbishop has informed us that there will be an Electoral College on the 9th of July at which time a Bishop will be elected for the Diocese. In the meantime, we continue to work hard as the Diocesan leadership to address the sustainability issues.
The Church Council has been given lots to consider and think about as we prepare to draft a 2022 Budget, and as we try to get more input from parishioners to strengthen the Church as an organisation we need to deal with questions of: Clustering Parishes together under Team Rectors as Good Shepherd and St Mary’s are, multiplying the Diocese into two or three smaller Dioceses, finding new funding models, addressing the Gender Based Violence and Safe Church issues, and of course Social outreach and pastoral care during this Pandemic. Our environmental ministry is really taking off and we are finding ourselves a place as a major role player in the campaign to end plastic waste.
Mobilising the primary ministers of the church – the Laity is a key factor in growth of the church. A spiritual awakening amongst the clergy and the laity and a deepening of spirituality is essential as we seek to bring the Kingdom, in Christ, and through Christ, to the world. All renewal begins with prayer, and so let us come prayerfully before God and seek His favour.
Be assured of my love and prayers!
Fr Andrew
