Dear friends of Christ,
A summer beach buzzing with excitement ahead of Christmas and holiday season turned into a worst nightmare in our neighbouring country, Australia. Targeted attack on Jewish community in Bondi beach killed at least 15 people including children. My dear friend, Naomi, who is a council for the Jewish community in NZ, wrote to me after the incident.
“It is just tragic. Now it has scared us all here. For the rest of Hanukkah there will be armed police outside our synagogues in NZ- I drove past the Jewish Community Centre today; there were a number of armed police. Living in fear is not good…”
Christmas is supposed to be a time of hope, peace, joy and love. I feel so helpless. But at least I would like to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. This Sunday at Holy Cross, I will set a table (with candles) near the water font for those who would like to pause in prayer to remember the dead, their families and friends, the injured, and the suffering, and for peace in the world. You are welcome to pray before or after the service.
In this season of joy, let’s remember to keep turning our thoughts to those struggling this Christmas and let their need shape our prayer and our perspective as we celebrate.
Yukiko’s leave
I will be on leave from 28th Dec to 2nd Jan. Les will be kindly taking a service on 28th Dec at Holy Cross. I will be on leave again from 21st December – 4th Sunday of Advent – Year A 20th Jan to 5 Feb as I am going to Japan. During my absence,
Denise is taking a service at Holy Cross on 25 Jan and Colleen on 1of Feb. Until I come back from the holiday, our newsletter is going to be a shorter version.
Finally…
Travel safe if you’re heading away and may the blessings of this Christmas be with you and your loved ones! (Remember, Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s an entire season!) The wildness and the warmth of God, and the Shalom of God, be yours now and always,
Ngā manaakitanga.
Yukiko
