NATIVITY CHURCH
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Vicar's News

Age is an Attitude

27/3/2017

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"dontlettheexcitementofyouryouthcauseyoutoforgetyourcreatordontlettheexcitementofyouryouthcauseyoutoforgetyourcreator"

In 1975 I moved to Wellington. At the La Vie Nouvelle coffee shop opposite the Town Hall was by the Scripture Union Bookshop. All around the top of the wall, with the letters running into each other continuously as above, were the words as in the poster above "Don't let the excitement of your youth cause you to forget your creator" (based on Ecclesiasties 12 v1  "Remember your creator in the days of your youth.")

Those words made a permanent impression on this young man!

One of the things that really thrilled me yesterday was our new Youth Coordinator, Rose Newton, preaching the same sort of message in our morning services. She was speaking from a different part of the Bible, in a different context. But here was a young adult, unconsciously demonstrating that she has not forgotten her creator, saviour, and life power in all the excitement of life.  Equally I was delighted with even our oldest parishioners and those in between, encouraging her on what was a really good sermon (!) They were also very encouraging about her 24-7 work with youth at Marlborough Girls High as well as in the church. I think that in so doing, they were also unconsciously demonstrating that they had not forgotten their creator in their older years.

(You can listen to Rose's sermon by going to the Sermons tab on our website.)

Age is an attitude it's said. It's always time to get that God attitude - now!

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3 images and 52 hours

23/3/2017

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"You're a good good Father
That's who you are, that's who you are
And I'm loved by you
That's who I am, that's who I am"
(Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin)
This song by Chris Tomlin is a big favourite of mine. Why?

Well, I've been home just over 24 hours from the Bishop's bi-annual retreat with the clergy of Marlborough. It was a really good time to stop and reflect on who we are and whose we are. After all, as I discovered some years ago, we will never know WHO we are until we know WHOSE we are.

Bishop Richard had 3 images of God, and therefore of what we are called to be and do.
LOVE
       LIGHT
                HOLY

? How aware of God's love am I - are you? Is my/your love for God radiated in my/your love for others?
? How is God's love like a torch? or a candle? or a spotlight?
? How often do I call God "The Big Guy?" or something similar? How far short of all God is, how much are we insulting the holiness of the God who loves us so much we have Christmas and Easter to understand it?

I could keep writing, but hopefully this gives you an inkling of what's buzzing for me.
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The New Vestry Team

15/3/2017

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Last Monday we had our AGM. It was really very positive, reflecting the feeling in much of the parish. The only sort-of sad ting was thanking Pauline and Roger Tisch for her 12 years service as People's Warden. As Pauline didn't want a gift, we gave Roger a voucher for Rock Ferry. Pauline was presented with a big arrangement of flowers from various parishioners gardens, put together by Vivienne James.

The new Vestry who were elected met for the first time this evening. It was another positive meeting with some good work done - especially the assignment of portfolios (areas of responsibility). There are three more portfolios to sort in the next month or so. Vestry are the governance body of Anglican parishes.

There are several new faces in the line up above. From the left they are - Hamish Harper (Synod Rep; Children families and Youth), Bob Barnes (Vicar), Jenny Bennett-Burrows (People's Warden), Keith Buck (Parish Manager), Jo Danks (Creating Healthy Community), Pauline Tisch (in the front; Deanery), Stephen Sheat (Vicar's Warden - behind Pauline), Jocelyn Wilkes (Synod Rep), Roger Nicholls, Rachel Powell
(Creating Healthy Community), Beverley Cross (Pastoral Care), and Konrad Cross (Maintenance).

Please keep them in your prayers.

(Thanks Jo Danks for the photo and Jonathan Wasley for taking it!)
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"By Prayer" is not ...

8/3/2017

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As part of my morning prayer I use prayer cycles from various mission agencies as well as the parish prayer directory and our special prayer needs. Today in the Serving In Mission prayers was this pice. It really connected with Miriam Taylors good sermon last Sunday on Abiding in Christ (which you can hear on our website - go to the Sermons tab):

"By Prayer" is not ...
 - a slogan pasted on the outside of our literature;
 
it is a conviction bound on the inside of our hearts.
 - a religious decoration;
  it is a core value.
 - a clever soundbite;

  it is a humble posture.
- compartmentalised as one duty of ministry;
 
it shapes every aspect of every ministry.
 - an empty ritual;
 
it is an activity that in itself expresses love and compassion for others.
(written by Joshua Bogunjokko)

May you have some even better conversations with God as a result of taking that on board!
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Important Notice re Annual General Meeting

5/3/2017

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To all parishioners

Dear friends

I wish to draw your attention to and apologise for an issue concerning the agenda for the Nativity Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday 13 March at 7.30pm

A copy of the agenda was distributed with the reports today. It indicates that nominations have closed and several people have been declared elected. In fact nominations are open until 4pm tomorrow Monday 6 March. If you want to be nominated, or would like to nominate anyone for the positions of People's Warden, Synod Representative or Vestry member you are very welcome to do so.

(NB To be eligible for office you need to be baptised and known to have participated in the worship and life of the parish for at least 4 months.)

I do hope you will read the reports and attend the meeting. God bless

Bob Barnes

Vicar, Nativity Anglican Church

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    Glen Ashworth
    ​Vicar

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Nativity Church
P: 03 578 3909     E: info@nativity.org.nz     A: 76 Alfred St, Blenheim 7201
  • Home
  • About
    • Faith
    • What We Believe
    • History
    • Meet Our Team
    • Service Times 2022
    • Calendar
    • Ministries >
      • Children and Youth >
        • Preschool >
          • First Steps
          • Tunes 4 Tots
        • Primary
        • Intermediates
        • Youth
      • Families
      • Small Groups (Care Cells)
      • Women
      • Men
      • Senior Adults >
        • Care
      • Prayer
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    • Our Governance >
      • Vestry FAQS
      • Diocesan Synod
    • Contact Us
  • How We Help
    • Repair Cafe
    • Healing Horticulture
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • The Marriage Course >
      • FAQ - Marriage course
    • Funerals
    • Counselling >
      • Bereavement Care
      • Personal Counselling
    • Facilities Hire
    • Blue Door
  • Giving
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  • Sermons
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    • News and Events
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