A former Tauranga pastor convicted of fraud and burglary is embarking on new adventures after being appointed the new Anglican Dean of Wellington

Read it all

IT WOULD make a perfect story-line for a soap opera set in Anytown, Middle England. The church of Saint Barnabas, in Gillingham south-east of London, is an imposing red-brick structure of the Victorian era. It hasn’t had a permanent vicar since 2007, but a retired one has kept up a decent cycle of services. The permanent congregation is small (there is an electoral roll of 39) but dedicated, and there is a much larger group of people who appreciate the building. A maiden lady recently bequeathed part of her savings to the church and the money helped restore some fine stained-glass windows. It’s within walking distance of several schools. Earlier this month, the church had an open weekend, and lots of local folk came to enjoy harmless pleasures like a treasure-hunt, bingo and a barbecue.

If it were up to the congregation, the church would surely survive. But the Church of England system vests huge power in the bishop ….

Read it all

High School student North Wilkins is baptized by the Rev. Chris Warner

Prayer before the race begins
The three-day celebration kicked off on Saturday with the Barrier Island 5K Run/Hike with more than 150 runners and hikers traveling through the forest. It ended with a ½ mile stretch on the beach. Chad Bateson, 15, a rising sophomore at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach came in first with a time of 19:53. “This was my first time doing a 5K,” said Chad. “It was a really interesting, cool trail.”

The Senior High School Session of summer camp ended on Saturday so those attending the anniversary festivities were invited to the closing ceremony where students spoke about their weeklong experience. Afterwards the group moved to the beach where they shared in the baptism of a fellow camper.
…….
On Monday the first event of the day was the unearthing of a time capsule, which had been buried 25 years earlier. A crowd gathered under the picnic pavilion to recover the red tube. Some of those present had been there when the capsule was buried.

Read more

Oftentimes when we come to God in prayer, we do not feel like praying. What shall one do in such a case? Cease praying until one does feel like it? Not at all. When we feel least like praying is the time when we most need to pray. We should wait quietly before God and tell Him how cold and prayerless our hearts are, and look up to Him and trust Him and expect Him to send the Holy Spirit to warm our hearts and draw them out in prayer. It will not be long before the glow of the Spirit’s presence will fill our hearts, and we will begin to pray with freedom, directness, earnestness and power. Many of the most blessed seasons of prayer I have ever known have begun with a feeling of utter deadness and prayerlessness; but in my helplessness and coldness I have cast myself upon God, and looked to Him to send His Holy Spirit to teach me to pray, and He has done it. …RA Torrey [h/t with thanks to Transfigurations]

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
ruthless people are trying to kill me””
they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.