In the midst of life's experiences it's often easy to lose our balance and swing like an unhinged door. Perhaps through the events of the past fortnight you've felt a bit like that; unhinged! Well know that you are not alone in that experience. Yet even at such times God calls us to deeper levels of living, out of which we know the sustaining presence of the Risen Christ. The life of prayer to which Christ calls all people is made possible as we turn in quiet trust to God who is closer to us than we are to ourselves. I leave you with the words of Thomas R. Kelly, words of faith spoken amidst the tumult of WW2. 

"Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself...In this Center of Creation all things are ours, and we are Christ's and Christ is God's. We are owned people, ready to run and not be weary and to walk and not faint."


Please note that this Sunday is a combined worship service at St Barnabas' 10am.

I invite you to read the two messages below, one about Paul's final services this Sunday and the second from Angela Brown, our children's minister.

May God's sustaining peace and deep joy be yours and yours to share,

Andrew

 
LEAVING CHURCH

This coming Sunday we say farewell to Paul Stanaway at a combined service at St Barnabas' at 10am. Paul will reflect on his time with our church and preside at communion. Music will be led by the Lifestreams Band, and Kidzone will be happening. There is also another opportunity to share worship with Paul at Antioch at 7pm.

Our morning worship will be followed by a shared lunch in the Hall. So please bring some food to share and stay around.

Paul has been active in the life of Fendalton Parish for the past four years, ministering mainly to youth and young adults. He will be joining the NZ Army as chaplain to the forces. We pray that his ministry as a chaplain will be both fulfilling and fruitful.

See you buddy!


LIGHT PARTY, OCTOBER 31.

Dear friends

The Children and Youth team are considering a Messy Church style Light party on Sunday 31 Oct, 3.30 to 5.30pm. We are having a planning meeting on Wednesday 29^th September 1pm in the Dorothy Cooper Room. We realise this is holidays and children are welcome. It would be great to get their ideas!

For it to happen we need ideas to develop the theme of alternative Halloween event, art preparation, music, storytelling or drama, hospitality group to organise light tea with plates of foods from those who come and maybe supplementing with sausages and bread.

It would be great to hear from you if you can come to the planning or would be willing to come on the day and help make it happen.

The Messy Church conference in the weekend was really inspiring. Messy Church has proved to be an effective way to involve mainly music families more in the life of the church with once a month events on Sunday afternoons or an alternative time. This event will be a trial messy church for us. We would need a team to take some ownership in the areas I have described above if we were to make this a regular event.

Please prayerfully consider if this is something you and your family and teens would be passionate about.

Prayerfully
Angela Brown for St Barnabas' Staff team.