Bishop Ross preaches for us today.  The general theme for the first Sunday of Advent is "hope."  Bishop Ross takes the angle of perseverance needed whenever hope and faith are exercised and needed as we go through this lockdown and the restrictions needed to fight the pandemic.

Parents, there are some children's activities on the children's blog.  Three sheets for today but three are for all of Advent: a Jesse Tree, an Advent colouring calendar and a cut-out Nativity.  The Jesse tree might be a good daily activity to do with your child(ren).

Do watch out for an email about next Sunday's service and how it will be held.  Vestry is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the application of the Diocesan policy for how we worship during the Protection Framework or Traffic Light system.

We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 3 & 4.  Here we find the Redeemer!  This is a story of Loving Kindness, Generosity and Redemption.

Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. 
Then there are some children's activities on Ruth in the Children's Blog.

We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 2.  Here we find generosity, provision and honour.

Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. 
Then there are some children's activities on Ruth Chapter 2 in the Children's Blog.

You may be wondering about what we will do at church once the DHBs achieve a 90% double vaccination target and Auckland moves to the 'Traffic Light' system.

A lot of work is going on at present to draw up good protocols for the Anglican Churches in Auckland Diocese.  The Bishop and Diocesan Council have decided that there will be a Diocesan Covid19 Protection Framework for all parishes to follow.  They are developing it at present with a thorough process.  

They have surveyed all clergy and as well as all vestries across the Diocese seeking our views on parish gatherings, services and vaccination status..  Our Vestry had a special meeting last week to answer the questions in the survey.  The results of those surveys have been collated and (together with legal and health advice) are being used by the Diocesan Health and Safety Committee to draw up a proposed policy.  That policy will then be reviewed by the Bishop and Archdeacons before being presented to the Diocesan Council meeting later this month for final approval.

I understand that we will receive the policy at the end of the month and then Vestry is to decide how to implement it in our particular parish setting.

Be assured that everyone involved is well aware of the tension between safety (particularly for the immune-compromised) and inclusion.

We start a new series today following the little book of Ruth over three weeks.  It is a lovely story of faithfulness and loyalty. 

Chapter 1 is told by our puppeteers - watch out for that.  Then there are some cool children's activities on Ruth Chapter 1 in the Children's Blog.