CHRISTMAS CONSUMERISM

Spending To The Glory Of God?

by Joseph Sunde

The Christmas shopping season is well underway—and with it, a peculiar blend of hyper-generosity and hyper-consumerism. Indeed, while many celebrate the social and spiritual glories of gift-giving and merriment, others are quick to warn about the steady creep of materialism and self-indulgence.

Over at Made to Flourish, Matt Rusten explores these tensions, asking, “Does worshipping the Christ of Christmas necessarily conflict with the proliferation of shopping and festivities during the holiday season?” >>> CONTINUE READING

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A LIFE FULL OF MISSION

Kia ora! We are Mai and Dan Lander (and Bobby, Thom and Jake, our three boys). I (Mai) am a mum and graphic designer. I (Dan) am a dad and priest at the Taranaki Cathedral of St Mary in Ngāmotu (New Plymouth). Together we have taken up the role of diocesan representatives in Overseas Mission - Tikanga Pākehā working group (OM-TP).

While we are both new to OM-TP, we thought we would share a little bit about who we are, our experiences with overseas mission, and some of our hopes and dreams for how we can think about and engage with mission in our diocese >>> CONTINUE READING

CHURCH REOPENING BRINGS DEEP JOY

After spending the past two years closed because of earthquake risk, this coming Sunday (November 15th) the congregation of St Paul’s Huntly will join with Archbishop Philip to celebrate the church’s reopening >>> CONTINUE READING

ADVENT = PRAYERFUL PREPARATION

Today many think of advent as a time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But did you know that originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. Scholars believe that during the 4^th and 5^th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation CONTINUE READING >>>

FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

FAMILY OF GOD

Each Monday to Friday you are invited to gather with people from across the Diocese for morning devotions. Each day is a little different with a team of people contributing each week. Prayers normally last about 15 minutes. We would love to see you there. Learn more.

On Sunday evenings at 7pm you are invited to join Bishop Philip's household where he and Belinda host Night Prayer. This informal Prayer Book service commences with lighting a candle for the world - a moment replicated across every time zone. Learn more.

HOW TO HAVE A NOT-SO-SILLY-SEASON

Looking for a little seasonal inspiration? Connected asked some of our senior diocesan leaders to share their advent traditions and some ideas for how we can make gifting a little less commercial.

The Venerable Terry Ellis (Archdeacon for Piako and Vicar of St Paul’s Paeroa) has contributed his thoughts on surviving Advent with joy in your heart.

Plus we profile a new Diocese Advent Study Resource >>>CONTINUE READING

WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE TO?

This was posed to the young people of Hamilton last month as we gathered around kai to listen and korero on issues of social justice, and missions >>> CONTINUE READING

SYNOD SYNOPSIS & DIOCESE NOTICES

Connected is a newsletter for the entire Diocese and we'd love to let everyone know about all the great things happening in and around your Parish.

If you have news, a story idea, an event you'd like to promote or something inspirational you'd like to share contact michelle@taranakicathedral.org.nz or stephen@wtanglican.nz.

If you were forwarded this email by a friend and would like to sign up , visit our registration page HERE or email michelle@taranakicathedral.org.nz

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Anglican Diocese of Waikato & Taranaki · PO Box 21 · Hamilton, 3240 · New Zealand