It has been a wonderful privilege to minister among you during this time while the search is on for a new vicar or ministry leader for Nativity.  We left Picton mid-March to move into and enjoy our retirement home. Five weeks later we began here at Nativity.  The role of an interim minister is an interesting one that offers many opportunities.  Part of my goal is to encourage you individually as well as build up the church as a community so that you be equipped to better fulfil the task that all God’s people are called to, to make disciples of Jesus in their home and community.

Right now the parish leadership, and especially the parish nominators, is working towards selecting of a new ministry leader (vicar) for your parish.  It is my encouragement that you make this a matter of faithful prayer.  Be praying for wisdom, insight and discernment. Be praying about God’s call for this church, what makes this church what it is, and where the Spirit is leading you as a community.  Pray for the nominators as they carry out this important responsibility, for their partnership with the diocesan nominators and, for all discussions that will surround the process.

Finally be praying for the person who will come (and their family.)  Be praying for God’s blessing to be resting on them and for your coming together to form the ministry that will lead you into the next stage of the church’s life.

Ministry is always a partnership. It is not the sole responsibility of one person but of us all.  Therefore be praying for this partnership that it will be good and strong, one that seeks God’s Kingdom above all else.

Go well and blessings

Richard
Priest in Charge

"People don't care what you know till they know that you care" (John Wimber)

This morning Chris Donaldson, our new chaplain to Wairau hospital preached on caring. At the 10am service all ages translated that sermon into a craft activity that they could show care to someone else. Men and women, young and old got into an activity designed by our Children's ministry team headed up by Jonathan Wasley, one of the Priests on our ministry team. It was good. People were buzzing.

Furthermore Jean and Ken Rooney are back and like Chris and Suzanne Donaldson they are living examples of practical care that comes from a gospel base.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 19 September the Church Office will be shut from 1030am to midday.
Staff want to support our dear PA, Jude, by attending the funeral at Nativity, of her daughter in law.

Often it's when times get tough that people really step up. All sorts of our people have done just that. There are people involved in the funeral itself. There are people like the AAW ladies who have been setting up the hall, making the lounge look welcoming for family who want to be there before the service, and will be helping with the refreshments after. And for this last week are the uncounted people who have been praying.

Thank you Nativity family. You have opened your hearts - yet again.

That mission is everywhere, but there is an importance in giving priority to overseas mission. There are many reasons to say that but here are two:
1st - the ratio of numbers of those who know Jesus to those who don't is much lower in New Zealand than in most countries around the world.
2nd - is our Christian heritage. From that heritage the world has received so much well-being, especially in the areas of health, education and justice. These were spread around the world by the church more than any other agency.
New Zealand's first public schools came with the missionaries settled here by Marsden in 1814. We don't have a monopoly on any of the great benefits spread by the church. Nor are we squeaky clean in regard to any of them. However the God we proclaim is good, and hasn't given up on us.
For the 2,000 years of the history of the church, as people come to faith in Jesus, something happens in them. John Wesley noticed it in the revivals he saw. He called it "Redemption and lift".
It's well said, if you had the cure for the worse disease on earth, you would want to get it out there for all to share. The worst condition there is affects every one of us. It's called sin. There is one cure - and only one. It's the forgiveness and redemption that Jesus brings. 
Now what is required is for those of us who claim to follow him to be more aware of the treasure we have, to support those who go from here, and we ourselves to share in word and deed wherever we are - here or away.

This month at Nativity we are having a focus on overseas missions. For many years some people have challenged my support for making overseas mission a priority, though I hasten to add, I haven't had that at Nativity.
"Surely" people say "we have more than enough needs right here in our own backyard." 
Is that a valid challenge?
My reasoning for my stance is simple. It's based on when I was the newly ordained Curate (assistant priest) in Hawera. 
I wanted to do some Parish visiting in the isolated back country behind Ararata. So headed off into the hills first thing and started visiting. By the end of each day I had made some good visits, but not made much ground.
One week I changed tactics. I travelled to the far end of the valley and worked my way back. People who'd not had a visitor in decades were delighted. Several made the effort to come to worship. Others were simply encouraged that someone from town was thinking of them.
But what I also found was those who lived close to town had visits or contact anyway.
So when it comes to our mission I believe it's the same one, be it here or there. Yes it's rightly done differently in different contexts. But if we don't start at the distant point, we'll never get there. In the meantime those closer will probably get what they need anyway.

Wednesday evening, 31 May, people who have high regard for Jesus are gathering to wait in prayer like the first disciples. It's a 2 hour vigil from 5.30 to 7.30pm in St Barnabas Chapel (aka Barnies), beside Nativity Church.
Everyone is welcome for any part, or all, of this 2 hour vigil. This time of prayer will focus on knowing the Holy Spirit in our lives as we remember and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost, 2000 years ago.
The Nativity Care Cell who prepared this have been prayerfully working on it for months. I invite you to come with me, and join them, "devoting yourselves to prayer" (maybe after the 5.30pm half hour combined churches prayer at Blenheim Baptist.)

This evening was really quite something. No - not the unusual sea fog that was in parts of town for a wee while.
It was because a whole bunch of people from at least 7 different local churches, from Catholic to Pentecostal, met in Barnies (beside Nativity) to pray for and as the church, in Blenheim. And we're going to keep doing that from 5.30 to 6pm each night this week until Saturday. On Sunday night it'll be 5pm. That's prompted by the Annual combined churches Pentecost service this Sunday evening, 6pm at Elim. The offering is to help support the Wairau Hospital Chaplaincy.
Tonight we started by reading chapters 14 to 17 of John's Gospel. In that Jesus told how he would have to leave them, but then send his Holy Spirit to empower his followers to do the things he did. Then he prayed for us in one of the most profound prayers recorded. He did that the night before he died.
If you are in town this week get along to as many of these prayer gatherings as you can.

So ...

People often think Christmas is the most important Christian festival. It's actually Easter.
Because of Easter, the other incredible things the Bible tells of are believable. That includes the amazing fact of God becoming a human being in Jesus.
Everything stands or fall on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Therefore 
 - it's my prayer for you all that you will know the power of his resurrection this Easter.
 - it's my challenge for you that you will seriously consider anew the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
 - it's my invitation to you to give time and space this weekend to walk the journey and experience this part of the passion and power of the living God who saves.
Tonight Libby and I started the Easter journey. We attended the beautiful service of Tenebrae, the service of shadows. In it we followed the events of the night Jesus was betrayed, with candles being extinguished after each reading.
Tomorrow morning (Good Friday) up to 1000 people will gather at 1030 in Blenheim's ASB Theatre for a combined churches event themed "It should have been me".
From midday to 3pm, the time Matthew's gospel tells us Jesus hung on the cross till he died, people will gather in Nativity Church. "Three Hours at the Cross" is 6 half hour contemplative services that form one 3 hour service. In it we follow again, the events of that day, from  his trial to his death and burial; and we consider the implications for us.
Then follows what is known as "The Great Silence". Unfortunately it's often more "A Great Clamouring" of commercial busyness, encouraged by hungry commercial interests and weak government.
Sunday is Resurrection Day. The 3rd Day since Jesus was murdered. The day we celebrate with gladness the results of what God in Jesus has done for us. At Nativity we do that in traditional form at 8am, in all age worship at 10am, and in the contemplative Taize style at 7pm.
Regardless whether this is all new to you, or you have been following this for years, check it out at Nativity, or a church or churches near where ever you are. Come. Walk the walk.