Thought For The Week 4 May 2025

Last Sunday I had the joy of preaching at St Albans, Pleasant Point. This is an Anglican church which hosts our Presbyterian brothers and sisters who have worshiped there since the closure of the Pleasant Point/Albury parish around 2 years ago. Our parish has been given the responsibility of pastoral oversight to this group, and this is largely exercised through Lois Shipley’s ministry there. We have received funding from Presbytery to support this work, and I am pleased to report that things appear to be going well. There was a good-sized congregation at worship made up of Anglicans, Presbyterians and newcomers just looking for a functioning church.

Today we will be having a short congregational meeting at the conclusion of the service to appoint by vote parish councillors for a new term. Murray Facer, Hermann Frank and Margaret Walker are renewing their term while Max Muldrew is joining the team. Max is also the convener of the Admin group so it will be good to have representation from them on council.

We will also be asking for congregational approval to ordain Janie Hart as an elder. In the Presbyterian Church we ordain elders in recognition of the gifts, calling and commitment of certain folk who are given extra responsibility among us for pastoral oversight and leadership. We believe Janie has the right qualities for eldership and look forward to      ordaining her soon, assuming the congregation agree.

Nga mihi nui,

Brent