The LINK December 2017 – February 2018
Editorial
As the year draws to a sunny South Canterbury close, I am left pondering what a difference a year can make in our lives together. We have come far in many ways over the last twelve months, and there is a real sense of hope and enthusiasm around the place.
Nothing highlights this more than the blessing that is our Rhythm Kids community and our emerging engagement with young families in the South end of town. 29 children and their families came to our Christmas break-up this last week and joined in a wonderful program that picked up on the key points of the hope, joy and love that signal the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.
Add to that the 45+ families who put their names down for our Christmas Holiday Programme at St. Stephens, the 50+ people from the community and 50+ people from the congregation who consumed 111 sausages at our Community BBQ, the 30+ people who attend the monthly lunches during the winter, the 30+ kids in Girls and Boys Brigades and youth group, and the 40+ people who order fruit & vege bags from Eat Well every week and you can see that we truly are connecting with our community in significant ways.
This is not even to mention the countless people who have been touched through our worshiping life, through pastoral care and friendship, through small groups, through funerals, weddings and baptisms in 2017.
The best thing about all of it is that we are not simply going through the motions, or providing a service to the community, we are truly living and sharing God’s love, together.
So as you enjoy our long, hot summer, be encouraged that God is at work in our midst, and his love is making a difference in our lives and in the lives of others around us.
And may God bless you with his hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas time.
Arohanui, Rory
Click to view LINK
Categories: The Link