As we come to the close of October, it’s a good time to pause, look back and share some of the highlights from our life together as a church family over the past few weeks.
Last Sunday, we had the joy of remembering and celebrating the Protestant Reformation, joining with like-minded churches around the world who also observed Reformation Sunday. I have always valued the 16th-century Reformation because, as I mentioned both in my Sunday sermon and in my afternoon Reformation talk, what lay behind it was far deeper than disagreements about church practices or corruption. At its heart, the Reformation was about the rediscovery of the gospel itself.
If you missed it, I encourage you to read my full Reformation Talk, now available on our church website (here), as well as my brief sermon from the midweek service, which reflects on “the incongruity of grace” – a phrase borrowed from Prof John Barclay of Durham University. Both pieces explore the wonder of God’s grace and how the gospel continues to renew lives today.
Our Sentence and Collect last Sunday beautifully captured that same theme:
Sentence: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
Collect: Almighty God, we praise You for the gospel of Your grace and for those whom You raised up to renew Your Church in faith and truth. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, and renew us by Your Spirit, that we may bear faithful witness to the Good News of Your saving love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I’m deeply encouraged by the feedback from those who attended the Reformation Lecture and Afternoon Tea. Sixteen people joined us for what was a warm, uplifting afternoon of learning, discussion and fellowship. My special thanks to Mary Griffiths and Jackie Hall for serving afternoon tea, and to Steve Scaife for welcoming everyone and opening the program.
We also have much to thank God for sparing our town from the worst of last week’s extreme winds. Sadly, five homes in Kaikōura were destroyed by wildfires triggered by the gales. Please keep those families in your prayers.
Our Elevate Youth group had a wonderful weekend at the recent Youth Camp in Bridge Valley, Nelson. Six of our young people attended, and we thank God for safe travel, good weather, and His clear spiritual blessing upon the camp.
It was also a delight to celebrate the retirement of Rev Pam Holdgate from active ministry recently – a doubly special occasion, as it coincided with her 89th birthday! We give thanks for Pam’s many years of loving and faithful service to St Christopher’s: leading services, preaching, celebrating Communion, visiting, and sharing Christ’s love so freely. Pam’s retirement leaves a gap in our ministry life, but it also opens new opportunities for others to serve. Let’s pray that the Lord richly blesses Pam in this new season and that He raises up new people to use their gifts for His glory.
On October 25 we held our Corporate Prayer Gathering on the theme “Praying for Families and Households: Foundations of Faith and Love.” Attendance was a little smaller this month due to illness and travel, but those present sensed God’s Spirit powerfully at work. It was a meaningful hour of unity, reverence, and heartfelt intercession. The program from that gathering is attached – it can be a helpful guide for your own prayers at home. Our next Corporate Prayer Gathering will be on Saturday, November 22 from 3–4 PM, in the church, focusing on “Praying for the Nations: Mission, Peace, and Global Witness.” I warmly encourage you to come.
A few further updates:
All copies of Rev Robin Kingston’s book on healing have now been sold. Many thanks to those who purchased a copy; may it be a blessing to you.
Please continue to pray for Pat Bembridge as she grieves the passing of her husband Barry.
We also remember Bob Wilson, a long-standing and faithful member of our church who served in many roles, including vestry. Bob went home to be with the Lord last week, aged 93. His funeral service will be held on Monday, 10 November at 1.00 PM in our church. Please uphold Beverly and the Wilson family in your prayers.
Our vestry met on October 23, and I’m thankful for another fruitful and prayerful meeting. Did you know that approved vestry minutes are posted on the notice board at the back of the church? I encourage you to have a look to stay informed about what your vestry is prayerfully discerning and approving.
Preparations are well underway for Market Morning on November 16. Please pray for good weather, safety, and a strong turnout from our community, as well as for the organising team and all volunteers.
As the end of October approaches, you may have noticed Halloween displays in shops and neighbourhoods. For many, Halloween seems like harmless fun – costumes, decorations, and lollies – but it raises an important question for us as Christians: Should we celebrate Halloween?
The short answer is no. Halloween often trivialises what Scripture treats with deep seriousness – death, darkness, evil and evil spirits. The Bible reminds us that these are not sources of amusement; they are realities from which Christ has delivered us. We need not fear evil spirits, but neither should we make light of them. As C S Lewis wisely observed in The Screwtape Letters:
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”
Ephesians 6:10–20 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers of darkness, and that we are to “put on the full armour of God.” We do not fear evil; Christ has triumphed over it. But we also do not celebrate fear or death – we celebrate life. Parents might use this time to talk with their children about why we rejoice in Jesus’ victory and not in darkness. If friends or neighbours ask why you don’t take part in Halloween, it’s a chance to explain that we choose instead to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith, affirming that death does not have the final word.
May this season remind us that we are people of hope who belong to the One who has conquered death and whose light no darkness can overcome.
Finally, this Sunday we will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church at both the 9am and 10.30am services, joining with believers worldwide in prayer for those who suffer for Christ. Because it’s a long weekend, there will be no Sunday School at the 10.30am service, but there will be a Children’s Talk and special activity sheets for them to engage with the theme.
I look forward to worshipping with you all this Sunday.
