Many of us are struggling with the impact of Covid on our communities and country. This virus has forced us to distance ourselves from each other, so that we can keep each other safe, which is a good thing and something to celebrate but it is not easy - on any of us. Over the last few months the Government has encouraged us to get vaccinated as a way of controlling the spread of Covid in our communities and as a way of keeping each other safe. But not everyone is pro-vaccine – some people have made the choice not to get the vaccine which has created some angry conversations and responses among people.
I don’t want to argue the pro’s and con’s of the vaccine but to ask a deeper question – how do we treat people who make a decision different from our own? For those of us who are followers of Jesus, how do we respond towards others who share a view that we think is completely wrong?
It can be easy on Facebook to label the person with a different view an idiot or a sheep but how are we going to treat our friends at church who hold a different view to us? And even if we decide that for health reasons we can’t hang out what will my attitude towards those people be? Will I malign them? Will I maintain my relationship in other ways? Will I still seek the very best for them because Jesus asks us to love everyone?
Even in our differences may we still seek to love and care for each other in this difficult time.
We are meeting this week and yes there will be music and singing. Please note the following requirements put in place by our leadership team.
- All attendees are required to record their presence – either by app or sign-in (This is a legal requirement)
- Recommendations that all people wear masks. (We have been advised that those speaking at the front can remove their mask to speak)
- At this point in time we will not be serving morning tea.
- Spacing of 1m between bubbles (so no hugging of others please)
- If you are at all unwell then please stay home
- And can we encourage you to get vaccinated as a way of keeping yourself and others safe.
If you are struggling at this time and just need someone to talk to then please email us at the address below and we will make contact with you office@pb.org.nz
This Sunday we start a new series reflecting on how we can follow Jesus today. This week we are thinking about hospitality.
To join with us on air tune in to Coast Access Radio 104.7FM from 10.30am or livestream at
http://coastaccessradio.org.nz/Listen/index.aspx The message and prayers will also be posted to the sermon page on this website.
Mainly Music - meets Wednesday’s from 10.00am. This programme is a fun way for parents and their children to spend quality time together based around music and movement. It is an opportunity for us as a church to connect with and offer something back to the community of which we are a part. It’s also a way for us to demonstrate care, concern and support for those with young children.
Small Groups are meeting via Zoom. Contact the church office@pb.org.nz if you would like to join one.
If at this time you need someone to chat with then please call the church office 04 2987766 or email office@pb.org.nz and we’ll get back to you.
And we are also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paraparaumubaptist
Grace and peace