First may I say a heart felt thanks to making my whanau welcome. Some have had very little to do with the church and others are very much part of the church, some are Anglicans while others worship in other denominations. All spoke to me about how welcome they were made not only in the worship but also in the cuppa afterwards. Thank you.

Sometimes its hard for us to imagine what it is like coming into church whether having never been before or being used to a different style of being church. Making people feel welcome and included isn’t the task of just one person, its the responsibility and opportunity of all of us.

This week many of us will pause and remember this ANZAC day. Some of us will attend dawn parades. For some it confronts with painful memories and losses because of war. So we stand with each other sharing our common humanity and strength.

Together we make community, a community that is aware of God’s love and welcome.

Have you noticed: Robes

As a priest I wear robes to help people see that the ministry I exercise is not about John Sheaf but about the work and witness of the church.

In years to come someone else will wear the robes and the ministry of the church will continue. The leadership at worship is not something bound up in one person no matter how much mana or charisma they have. Leadership in worship is a ministry of the church. Its a gift that clergy hold but for a while.

Robes do help people know who is given (both by the diocese and by the local parish) the responsibility to lead.

Please pray for those who wear these robes that we may lead in the spirit of Christ.

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