The New Year

The new year has begun in the midst of the ongoing pandemic sweeping the world. Holiday times been affected by the Omicron variation of COVID, and this has impacted on planned holiday travel, meeting with families and friends and even in church attendances at Christmas and since. I am conscious that there are people within our parish wary or reluctant to attend church while parents of young children are preparing for the vaccination of children over five and who are getting ready and probably excited to attend school for the first time. Please keep in your prayers, reflections, and mediations all those in need and reach out offering the unconditional love of God wherever you are able.

Cricket and tennis are two sporting events that take place in Summer. Both have been affected in different ways and have consumed, I suggest, a disproportionate share of media attention at the expense of other important issues. The plight of the refugees held in detention in hotels for years resurfaced and I for one cannot fathom the reasons why they are still held. Their detention is repulsive and an abuse of power by the federal government and stands in stark contrast to the ethic of Christian love we are called to extend to those without a safe abode in their country of origin. I would like to hear your thoughts as to how we can act as a parish community at this time on this issue.

The incumbency committee of the parish will meet shortly to prepare a parish profile for information for a potential new priest. I am offering two meetings of the wider parish to provide input, St James on 30 January at 6 pm following the 5 pm Eucharist, and All Saints at noon following the 11 am Eucharist on 6 February. Please come along and share your thoughts.

Shalom

Ray