Writing
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Look upon your church and its pastors
in this season of hope
which runs so quickly to fatigue
and in this season of yearning
which becomes so easily quarrelsome. more» -
We live in a world in which bigger and better define our expectations for much of life. We have become so focused by super-size, super stars, and high definition that we tend to view life more» -
The season of Advent
means there’s something on the horizon
the like of which we have never seen before. more» -
In the holy family, particularly in this time of refugees and advent, we see how important one small family is, one small child is, one small collection of people. In light of the complexities of more» -
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Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. more» -
Over these days, quiet remembrance and wreath laying ceremonies at war memorials throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world are taking place.
The eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the date when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in the war to end all wars is also remembered. more» -
In the beginning were the leaves,
and the leaves were fragile and beautiful,
and the leaves were on the tree. more» -
Newman's canonisation is important to Anglicans because he was a bridge between communions, transferring a Catholic vision to worldwide Anglicanism and then bringing some of his Anglicanism with him when he became a Catholic. more» -
God, help me to let go
unkind words said to me
or about me,
unkind (but often very clever) words
I have rehearsed... more» -
A Review by the Rev. Jennie Hogan
A theologian, Nicola Slee offers bold, humble, and poetic perspectives on the sabbath. The subtitle of her book emphasises the difficult work of sloughing away our resistance to rest. The American more» -
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...there is no moment
this blessing refuses to sing itself
into the heart of the hated and the hateful,
the victim and the victimizer,
with every last ounce of hope it has. more» -
Surging swell unrelenting
Fisher's net cast from storm
Colours fast in ceaseless shaping
Shingle beach salvaged story's form more» -
What the festival costs
is more than the price of helium
in a few small red balloons,
and a birthday cake for the church
during coffee hour. more» -
The shelter of the cocoon
provides the supports that aid our healing.
Before we ascend,
we must kneel and bend
to get the uplift desired. more» -
with sculpted spontaneity, haute couture sincerity,
synthetic joy, and ads that tickle up our hopes and needs... more» -
Easter is past. A bewildering resurrection is interwoven with grief. Christ companioned the ones who loved him and mourned his loss. He walked alongside them, shared breakfast on the beach, and bore witness that grief does not have the last word. Is not the end of the story. more» -
Peace must start here.
In the battlefield of our hearts,
where our wills seek their way
and our wants collide with others. more» -
Joseph saw him first, the man who was an unexpected baby, boy in a carpenter’s shop. John, recently passed, recognized his cousin, playmate, friend rising from the Jordan with a dove more» -
Christ has stood in front of me on many a day. It hasn't always been a pan of water that he's held in front of me, for water is only one symbol of a way to be cleansed and healed. more» -
The passion narratives ask us to view the world from God's perspective, with the loving eyes of Christ, from the Spirit's vantage point. more» -
Come close with Mary, Martha, Lazarus
So close the candles stir with their soft breath
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us
Lit by these mysteries of life and death. more» -
Courage and faith, water and earth,
reveal unseen spaces nurturing life,
strengthening hearts... more» -
We’re heading to a sunset
shooting
cosmic light
ten thousand streams of happiness
not far from the swing
of the foam more»
Phone : 09 473 2600
Other enquiries : reception@vaughanpark.org.nz
Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre
PO Box 89 085, Torbay
Auckland City 0742
New Zealand
© 2008 - 2019 Vaughan Park Retreat Centre
A partnership resource of the Diocese of Auckland and Te Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau | Powered by controlroom.co
A partnership resource of the Diocese of Auckland and Te Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau | Powered by controlroom.co