Thought For The Week 7 December 2025

Welcome to our service today in the second week of Advent, which focusses on the theme of peace. This is a very timely theme as diplomatic efforts are ramped up around trying to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine. But even with these diplomatic efforts it doesn’t seem likely this dreadful war will end anytime soon as both sides continue to see advantages in carrying on the fight. Wars usually end when both sides have exhausted their military options or one side surrenders. Unfortunately, even with all the destruction and loss of lives on both sides, it looks like this war will rage on for some time yet. Ultimately though peace will come because the arc of history bends towards the justice of God being done. In the meantime, we continue to pray for peace.

Today we are taking a break from the usual Advent theme to hear feedback from this year’s General Assembly, which was attended by Hermann Frank. Hermann will give us the highlights from this biannual national gathering and we will hear the Moderators opening address which set the scene for the Assembly. Many I have spoken to regarded this as one of the best Assemblies’ they had been to.

Last Sunday we voted to support the Wayfinder proposal and application to use $290,000 of our property money to invest in future outreach and mission, over the next 5 years. The proposal received 96% support which is a fantastic result. It will now be in the hands of Presbytery and Church Property Trustees to approve and we are hoping this will be done before Christmas. Watch this space!

Nga mihi nui,

Brent