Thought For The Week 26 April 2020

Well folks, we are heading into our 5th weekend in Lockdown level 4, and there are two things on our minds:

On Saturday we remember ANZAC Day.  A commemoration of the tragic waste of so many young lives on the altar of war.  We remember to give thanks for the people we have lost.  We remember to steel our resolve to never again allow our world to come to this.  We remember to lament the tragedy and bravery, the suffering and the loss.  We will remember them.  It is a curious fact that it is through this lament that our communal identity as New Zealanders is formed.

This year, we mourn the fact that we cannot gather together in lament.  At this time I’d encourage you to remember that our deeper identity is found in the communion of saints, as members of the Body of Christ.  As we look to Jesus we see that suffering and death do not have redemptive power in their own right.  Rather, it is through the resurrection – as Jesus conquers sin & death – that we find true meaning and true life.  As the Apostle Paul says “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

The other thing on our mind is the impending move to Lockdown level 3 this coming Tuesday.  I would encourage you to keep doing the things you’re doing – stay at home, stick to your bubble, wash your hands thoroughly, be kind to one another.  As a church, we will be continuing in much the same vein.  The office will remain closed in the meantime, and we will continue with online worship.  We hope to be able to provide written resources to those who are not online as we move forward.  We’ll let you know more after Parish Council meet online on Wednesday 6 May.  In the meantime if there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to contact Rory, Brent, or your elder.

Many blessings through this time,

Rory