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Presbytery Retreat – 11th & 12th October 2020

We had a lovely collection of people gather for the Alpine Presbytery Retreat. Donald Scott led us in an interesting reflective space (see below for more about his theme), allowing our souls to catch up with our bodies!

It was also great to finally Commission Philippa and Ben Necklen into their role of being present in the community as we seek to find a new footing as a Godly presence in the area.

Tuesday included some garden clearance at the former manse, and a small band of enthusiastic workers made great inroads into the work.

Theme: Tending my Vineyard Within—Pastor Donald Scott
In the Song of Songs the Shulamite says that her brothers had ‘appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards, yet I’ve not tended my vineyard within.’  Song of Songs 1:6 (from the Passion Translation).
This Scripture has both challenged and inspired me to tend to my own ‘inner vineyard.’ We spend so much time and energy meeting other’s needs, but what is the state of our inner world? Jesus says that ‘I am the sprouting Vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you.’ (John 15:5 TPT) Wow, that seems so simple, so organic, so inviting!
Perhaps you also desire to nurture your ‘vineyard within,’ to grow deeper into the experience of living with Jesus as Source, then we invite you to join us for this short time together where we might listen, and respond to ‘Christ in us, the Hope of glory.’ We seek to intentionally create space to come before the Lord, listen to His Word afresh, and using various prayer methods (Lectio Divina, Imaginative Prayer, the Wonder of Creation!) to create times of stillness and reflection where we might learn to rest In His great Love, receive peace and hope, discerning His Voice in the midst of our current reality and respond as Wairua Tapu/ Holy Spirit leads.

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Presbytery Gathering: 11-12 September 2020, in Christchurch

The Presbytery Gathering was held at The Village Church, Bryndwr, with 70-odd (not seventy odd!) people coming along to talk, share, listen, and attend to a few things. Once again, there was a sense of ease in each other’s company – a feeling of being whanau – enjoying one another and looking to make the most of being connected. We are very grateful for the people from The Village who worked in the background to make the space so hospitable and the food so lovely.

Some of the sessions were live streamed, and can still be accessed from YouTube here:

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