Visit of 29th Jan - 1st Feb 2015 Dear Members and Friends of The Christian Community in Christchurch, I hope that you have had a good start to the new year. When on holiday we have a break from the normal routine of life, from all those things that can easily be too much and the cause of stress. Finally we can rest and catch up on some sleep! - But is this really so? All too often we cannot easily switch from one mode of living to another. For many people, these days, sleep does not come easily just because we have some spare time. Visiting Priest: Hartmut Borries 09 525 2305 [email protected] Contact Hartmut during the visit at the home of Donald Palmer ph:03 332 2933 Services are held at: Hohepa Recreation Centre 23 Barrington Street, Spreydon Carrying Group: Hartmut Borries 09 525 2305 Heidi Gilgenberg 03 331 7207 Paddy Gilgenberg 03 332 2458 Benjamin Wolpert 03 328 7526 Donald Palmer 03 332 2933 Chris & Sigrid Mc.Turk 03 3129 208 Christchurch Treasurer Benjamin Wolpert 03 328 7526 Newsletter/Programme Clifford van Wely 03 325 5778 [email protected] Servers Paddy Gilgenberg 03 332 2458 Music Marinus La Rooij 03 331 7677 Vestry Ulla van Erp 03 337 0024 National Council Rep. Donald Palmer 03 332 2933 Our Web Site www.thechristiancommunity.net There is something else, which hopefully we haven't experienced. But it can happen to anyone. When we are no longer in our normal environment, having to answer to our daily responsibilities, we are no longer held up by our daily routine and we sink. Yes, you may know what I am trying to describe, we sink like a stone thrown into a pond, into lethargy and some low region of the soul where light is lacking. Why is that? Because we are not made of wood! Wood doesn't need to do anything in order to stay afloat. The human being needs to move, needs to be active in order to stay afloat. We need to swim. Inactivity makes us sink; we won't stay where we have been, we go backwards and downwards. Holidays have the danger of doing this to us, when we confuse them with inactivity. In olden times this was well known. The day of rest was reserved for spiritual activity. All usual work stopped so that there was space and time to reconnect with the Divine. What happened on the Sabbath or Sunday was different from all other days. These were days of celebration and worship, truly holy days of re-creation, because people knew how to reconnect with their creator. At the beginning of the year it may be a good time to look at our religious practice and see how we can be strengthened by it. We may not want to return to a world of breathless activity and stress. Everyone needs a break, needs truly holy times each day, week and month. Not only once a year in summer. “Following a Spiritual Path – Shepherds and Kings” will be our theme for Friday evening, when we will look at our inner journey in connection with Epiphany and Christmas. For Sunday after the service we plan a community meeting with some music and singing and an opportunity to look back at the last year and forward to the coming year. A good time to share ideas and explore possibilities for the time ahead. Wishing you well for the coming weeks until we will meet again at the beginning of February Hartmut Borries Programme: Epiphany Tuesday, January 6.................Matthew 2:1–12 Sunday, January 11..................Matthew 2:1–12 Sunday, January 18.....................Luke 2:41–52 Sunday, January 25.......................John 2:1–11 Sunday, February 1.....................Luke 13:10–17 Trinity Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, February 8.............. Matthew 20:1–16 February 15 .....................Luke 8:4–15 February 22 ...............Matthew 4:1–11 March 1.................... Matthew 17:1–13 Passiontide Sunday, March 8........................Luke 11:14–36 Sunday, March 15..........................John 6:1–15 Sunday, March 22..........................John 8:1–12 Advent festivals...what a joy celebrating together the beginning of the Christian year with a great group of people. Children joined in singing like angels, the stories were told with enthusiasm and creating strong pictures we can carry with us into the New Year. Amazing creations have been made over the four Advent Sundays. I treasure the experience of seeing earth, rocks, plants and animals adding to the form and walking the spiral and watching others. Thanks to all the people and families who prepared and contributed to each of the Advent Sunday celebrations. This year we are looking for others who would like to prepare and share in our colourful festivals, where we can deepen our understanding of the meaning and also grow in our spiritual life walking closer with Christ. Don’t forget our Community meeting (AGM) after the Sunday services at Hohepa on 1st February at 11.30, where we can reflect on all that’s happened in The Christian Community both here and nationally as well as look forward to the year ahead. At Hohepa Recreation Centre, 23 Barrington Street, Spreydon Friday 30th January 4.15pm 7.30pm Setting up of the chapel Talk: Following a Spiritual Path – Shepherds and Kings At Helios medical centre, 275 Fifield Tce. (rear door) Saturday 31st January 9.00am 10.00am 11.00am Act of Consecration of Man Study Group Carrying Group Sunday 1st February 8.45am 9.15am 10.00am 11.15am Family Gathering Children’s Service Act of Consecration of Man Morning tea followed by Community Meeting Future Priest Visits: January 29th – February 1st March 5th – 8th April 3rd – 5th May 1st – 3rd July 2nd – 5th July 30th – August 2nd September 3rd – 6th October 1st – 4th December 3rd – 6th Passiontide Easter Sunday St. Johnstide Michaelmas 2nd Advent The Little Market... a great opportunity to bring, buy and exchange: Art work, crafts, books, some eggs and garlic and maybe some surprises. Bring your items, produce, some cash, and a basket in January Contact for this weekend: Sigrid 03 3146 999 Every little item counts- making a big difference! Thank you for your contribution to The Christian Community in New Zealand
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