Martin Sutherland writes...
On Isabelle and Keith
It was Friday the 13th last month when my first granddaughter was born. This was a great day for the whole extended family, especially for my father, who was terminally ill in Christchurch hospital. That same day he was moved to a hospice and eleven days later he died. Entry into life...and the ending of life - Julys will never be the same again.
Entry into life...and the ending of life. As many have pointed out, the only certainties we have. Yet, how interesting that these most commonplace of all events - which all of us, without exception, face - should loom so large in our corporate psyches. Their importance is signaled by the layers of ritual and expectation which surround them - birth (mostly) to be celebrated; death (sometimes) to be dreaded, often to be mourned; both to be approached seriously and reverently.
Interesting, but no real mystery. Despite our sophistication, the insulating effect of unprecedented wealth, our success in stretching the life journey or our suspicion that 'meta-narratives' are in decline we come nonetheless face to face with our own frailty and limitation when we encounter birth and death. At no time is it more clear to us that there is a sacred character to life which we can barely grasp. Life itself is a meta-narrative we cannot deny.
Do Christians have anything unique to say about it? Although in my family we continue to grieve for my father we have been deeply comforted by a confidence that this is not a true ending - just a rather sudden transition. But that is not the sum of what Christ gives us. A belief that there is something more is not on its own the way to grasp the significance of life itself. In Christ we have both birth and death - and everything in between. This life - our type of life, flesh and blood existence - is experienced by the Son of God. Yes, it is part of something bigger but it has a glory of its own in the plan of God.
This too is signaled in our rituals. The family gatherings which mark both ends of life reinforce the fundamentally relational character of humanity. My granddaughter's life will be defined by who loves her and whom she loves. After dealing with my father's affairs I came a way with little more than a small box of memorabilia. His life too amounted to who loved him and those whom he loved. Not much in material goods but (in his phrase) 'plenty sufficient' in human (and divine) terms.
MONDAY 13th
Community Worship
12.:40-1:00pm
Own reflection and worship in the chapel
TUESDAY 14th
Community Worship
11:15am-12pm
Earthing Life
Michael Hanson
Facilitated by Paul Beisly and Adam Lee
After Dinner Mints
Peter Olds
Peter was the pastor at Balmoral Baptist from 1997-2006 and is currently a chaplain to the NZ Navy, working from the Devonport Naval base. In his role he will spend time on the ships and in overseas postings.
WEDNESDAY 16th
CHIPS PRAYER
9:00-9:25am - chapel
Praying for the college, community & country
Community Worship
12:40-1:00pm
Worship for the whole community - creative, visual reflection.
RENOVATIONS AND MOVING
The end is nigh....! Of the renovations that is. While there are still a few bits and pieces being completed, things are looking just great.
The Baptist Union and tranzsend staff and offices will be moving onsite on Friday 17th August and we are looking forward to having them join us here.
If you are onsite on Friday and need to come to the reception area, please keep in mind that a lot of furniture and boxes will be coming through the main doors.
OPEN TUESDAY
Tuesday this week is an Open Tuesday when we have a number of people joining us to check out who we are with a view to possible future study. Please keep an eye out for these people and make them feel welcome if you're onsite.
The Great Big Kiwi-to-Kyrgyz
No-Junk Book Sale
Wednesday 22 August
1:20 - 3:00pm
Reception Area
This is part of Project 200...
* an initiative to raise money to buy 200 Russian-language books
* for a leading theological college in the Central Asian Republics
* library has no budgeted income - it is dependent on donations
* every NZ $25 we raise will buy one book for the library
* the idea for a book sale comes from the desire to give expression
* to the biblical value of "out of our surplus to supply their need"
EFTPOS facility will be available
If you have some quality books you'd like to contribute to this sale please leave them with Rachel Murray by Tuesday 21 August
A WELCOME
Last week we welcomed to the staff team, Chris Lucas. Chris takes on the role of Executive Assistant (Administration) and will be working alongside Graeme Smith. Please say hi to Chris, get to know her and make her feel welcome in the Carey community.
PIGEON HOLES AND ACCESS
Pigeon holes have moved! This has been necessary to ensure that all students can access these whether during the day or in the evening. These are now located down the main corridor outside the lecture rooms.
Access to some areas will also be changing next week. Please keep an eye on your pigeon holes if you are on site as more details will be given to you via them.
"WORSHIP MATTERS"
Tuesday 21 August; 1:00-1:45pm in the chapel
At the beginning of the semester we enjoyed having with us, Donna Dinsmore who led us in our Community Worship. Donna will be our guest speaker at lunch on 21 August and then has offered to facilitate a conversation with anyone interested in the area of worship. Make the most of this special opportunity.