Thought for the Week 12 April 2026

Welcome to our service today. I have been reflecting on Easter weekend and the build up to it through the season of Lent and how special and rich I found it this year. The special events created around this really added value for me; the Shrove Tuesday pancake, praise and prayer night that kicked it off; the four part Lent reflections drawing us into the story of Christ’s Passion, attending an Ash Wednesday and Steiners’ Passion service at St Mary’s; our Maundy Thursday Passover meal; combined Good Friday service at Life Church; Sunrise service on Caroline Bay (shame about the weather!) and our Trinity Easter Sunday service. I’m very thankful for the creative and dedicated folk who make these things possible.

Today is Bucket Mission Day. This is our monthly mission offering for causes outside our church that deserve our support. Today we are collecting for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa, supporting the incredible work hospital chaplains and volunteers do in our health sector. Many of you will know our local chaplain, Rev Alan Cummins who also works for Presbyterian Support as chaplain in our rest home communities as well as being the hospital chaplain. Our contribution today will help with this service locally as it is only part funded by the Health Ministry.

Nga mihi nui, Brent