Thought For The week 2nd October 2022

We welcome to our services today Luke Blackbeard, his wife Teresa and children Sophie and Jonathan. The Blackbeard’s will be relocating from Gore in the new year as Luke commences his training towards National Ordination and are here this weekend to explore Timaru and get familiar with our church. The Parish Council and ministry team are very much looking forward to working with Luke, who will be involved in all aspects of ministry- preaching, worship leading, pastoral care, mission and governance.  This is made possible by a decision at the last General Assembly to fund interns from the PCANZ coffers rather than through local parishes.

We also welcome to Timaru Revs Martin and Anne Stewart. Anne has accepted a call to St David’s for a half time position as their minister and will be inducted this afternoon, 2:30 at Woodlands Rd Methodist church. They have relocated to their Totara valley property from Christchurch and an office for Martin’s presbytery work has been established in the old BNZ building in George St. Anne will be available to our parish to conduct worship from time to time and will mentor Luke during my absence next year for study leave (April-June).

At the end of last year our district saw 4 ministers leave the area and I was experiencing more than a little despair at the prospect of there being just 3 of us left! But God is good and faithful and it seems we are entering into a new season of provision and possibilities.

Thanks be to God!

Brent