This cultural moment
From the Vicar
On Thursday it was a great pleasure to join with other church leaders from throughout Christchurch at Laidlaw College for a lunch and conversation with Mark Sayers. Mark pastors Red Church in Melbourne, but is known internationally through his books and podcast series “This Cultural Moment”. He’s particularly gifted at scanning the cultural horizon and discerning where God might be calling to church in this season.
At the conversation he shared his thoughts that we’re in a 'grey zone’ in our world with a number of complex conversations and significant shifts in ideologies and global structures. Part of that is because of the pandemic, but its also seen in the longer trend of fracturing of unity in a number of different organisations and nations. It’s a somewhat un-nerving and discombobulating time.
I’m reminded particularly of the work of Walter Brueggemann on the Psalms where he talks of patterns of orientation, disorientation, and re-orientation. Essentially saying that the scriptures are both destabilising and re-stabilising. They shake us from some ideas, but lead us to solid ground in God. It seems timely then, that this year’s theme for Bible month is HOPE.
There are some excellent resources online, with manna.nz/the-bible-is-hope/ being a good starting point. We will have some posters available at the back of the church if you wish to take one with you. I encourage you to make engagement with themes of hope in the Bible a particular focus this month.
Grant and Rose are delighted to be new members of the Opawa-St Martins Parish. Grant has worshipped at the Cathedral ever since he first moved from England, and Rose has previously worshipped at St Tim’s and the Cathedral. Together they have been discerned for ordination training, and as part of this process have been put under the tutelage of Rev’d Ben. They have been married since 2020 and share their home with 2 cats and 2 dogs. Whenever they are not in Christchurch they are usually up at their house in Lake Coleridge. They are looking forward to sharing and growing in faith with everyone in this wonderful parish. Please pray for their journey and time with Opawa-St Martins and feel free to introduce yourself and have a chat.
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