Colourful Dreamer

Aweswome to read of the great work being done among the young people of this province. It is sobering to think that for some of the Samoan and Fijian young people they have returned to the destruction wrought by the Cyclone.

 Gate Pa – Advent 3 2012 Readings: Hebrew Scripture:     Zephaniah 3: 14-20 Psalm:                          Isaiah 12:1-6 Epistle:                        Philippians 4: 4-7 Gospel:                        Luke 3:7-18 What I want to say: Our hope is in a God who is reshaping the world             it is hard to see sometimes             easy to get despondent John Baptist baptism is one of reordering all things, letting go of all that separates us from others, and entering into new community which embraces all ...

God is good and does indeed answer prayers. This long lasting injustice sanctioned by that old corrupt leader, Robert Mugabe, has been a sore in fabric of Zimbabwean life. The fact that the court has ruled against Mugabe is historic, and hopefully points to a more just future for all Zimbabweans. Let us hope so.

A sad day for so many Anglicans in England and Wales, and for many around the world. I would be appalled if it were compulsory for churches to have to take gay weddings, a step too far. But to ban the C of E and C of Wales from taking them is equally a step too far, and once again LGBT Anglicans are told that this church does not want them, recognise them, even want them to exist. God's love is only for the straight community.  As I read this and then reflect on Brian Mclarens thoughts on John the Baptist in " Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?" I can't help but wonder how we became such an exclusive group, and how we managed to take a message of God's all encompassing love and confine it to "people like us" . This Advent we really do need Johns baptism of repenta nce.

St. Georges Anglican Church, Gate Pa, Tauranga are running two lectures in January on the Battle of Gate Pa, a significant battle in the New Zealand Wars with some truly inspiring stories involved. We are also offering a talk on the Treaty of Waitangi. If you are in Tauranga on any of these dates please come along and learn more about our past, so that we can build a future for all who live in Aotearoa.

A great critique of catchy but in the end not fantastic music.

  Gate Pa – Advent 2 2012 Readings: Hebrew Scripture:     Malachi 3: 1-4 Psalm:                          Luke 1: 68-79 Epistle:                         Philippians 1: 3-11 Gospel:                        Luke 3: 1-6       What I want to say: God’s peace is found only when we look to Jesus and remember who we are, God’s people made in God’s image Christmas is not about family time and cute stories about babies – good as that makes us feel Christmas is time for us look through Christmas to promise that all will be well, admit all ways we contribute to lack of pea...