Community is Key
Our theme for this week’s newsletter is community.
During these challenging times, there is an even greater need for coming together united as one not only within our parishes and in the wider community as well.
So what can this look like?
It can be a simple smile and a greeting to somebody even if you have never seen them or spoken to them before, at church, in the supermarket, during a traffic jam, during the school run, while walking your dog, or when you’re filling the car with petrol.
Reaching out to somebody, asking how they are doing, and if they need anything or if they want to chat is so important.
This can be done over the phone, through a chat app, or in person.
Another way is gifting food or clothing, and blankets to those who are struggling at the moment.
You can join a group and reach out to the members of the group and nurture each other with fellowship, friendship, reflection or activities.
During times like these, offering love and support can help those people who are suffering through feeling the pressures of life and circumstances or who are hurting.
By reaching out, we can help others in positively nurturing ways of friendship and compassion.
Our Christian life is a journey. Each day, we are called to turn ourselves towards Hehu Karaiti – Jesus, so that we may ‘put on’ the heart and mind of Jesus.
In the passage below we are reminded of his teaching:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Let us challenge ourselves this week and in the weeks to follow to reach out to our community and to actively help others to heal through Aroha – love and compassion.
This can be as simple as giving somebody a smile…..
Blessings,
Donna Brown
Kotahi Ano
Pastoral Coordinator