VINCENT VAN GOGH FOR LENT!

“Saltproject” has a wonderful range of Lenten and Advent studies for those who want to explore more of God’s beauty and challenge through art, poetry, nature or writers like C.S. Lewis. For year C, which we’re in in 2025, they recommend the series on van Gogh. Here’s what they say:

“Vincent van Gogh devoted his life to light.

The light of creation, the light of painting, the light of God’s grace – and the light in humanity, mind, body, and soul. The son of a Christian pastor, Vincent fervently set out to be a preacher and missionary himself, but his ministry eventually took the form of nearly 900 paintings shimmering with dynamism, with passion, and above all, with light.

The word “Lent” refers to the “lengthening” light, the growing days that, in time, will coax the sunflowers to open, the wheat fields to rise again, and the irises to bloom. What better companion on this forty-day pilgrimage, then, than Vincent van Gogh, this apostle of light?

In this Lenten devotional, the words of Scripture and the paintings and letters of Vincent van Gogh will be our guides. Each week, biblical texts and Van Gogh’s work throw light on each other, pointing toward simple, powerful practices you can try yourself, with your family or friends, or with your congregation.”

Find out more HERE

Bible Explore has a great range of Advent and Christmas resources. It’s a New Zealand website and on it you will find links and resources for every Sunday of the lectionary.  It is especially helpful for intergenerational worship, but our Gospel Conversations generally feature too! Click the picture to be taken there.

RESTORING THE STORY LENT STUDY

The Diocese of Wellington has worked with Anne van Gend to produce a Lenten study based around her book, “Restoring the Story.” Each week you have the chance to explore and discuss the rich variety of ways the Biblical writers chose to tell us about why Jesus died and how his life, death and resurrection “did something” that has changed life for ever. We also consider the practical question, “How is this Good News today?”

Copies of the study can be bought for $5 at the online shop for Wellington Diocese HERE

This would be an invaluable study to use over Lent in 2024. Navigating a divided and complex world can be hard. We encounter this in our relationships, in our communities and in our wider systems and structures. Many of us long to make a difference, but often we don’t know how to respond or where to start. This is why Archbishop Justin Welby has brought together leading practitioners and thinkers to create Difference, equipping you to cross divides, navigate disagreement and pursue a just and flourishing world. Across five sessions, Difference teaches three habits that have the potential to transform everyday relationships. Talk with the Ministry Educator if you want to find out more.

It is very possible that the next few years will give rise to increasing debate over the Treaty of Waitangi. Many of us have collected various views and understandings over the years, some of which will be accurate, others less so. We will need to listen to each other carefully and respectfully, and be ready to speak out if it becomes clear that justice is threatened. This is a talk that Dean Jay Ruka from Taranaki Cathedral gave to an interdenominational group of school chaplains a few years ago, giving a quick overview of NZ Christian history and the treaty. It may be helpful.

Another great innovation from Diana Langdon and Strandz. “Our Bite Size conversations are the perfect place to dig into a range of children’s ministry leadership topics, over lunch or a cuppa. We’ll be gathering on Zoom in April and May, and would love you to join us. 

Each 1 hour Zoom will include a short Discipleship Pathway video, a reflection and open discussion about how to lead well in this space. Join us for one, or all! These Bite size conversations are free, and open to everyone to dip into. BYO cuppa.” Click below for more.

Sometimes it can be good to check our foundations and dig them a little deeper. Olive Tree Media (Australian-based) have some brilliant resources, including videos and study guides, which call on the wisdom of Christians around the world to help us understand Jesus and faith better. See, to start with, their series, “Jesus the Game Changer.” The Ministry Educator is allowed to give a small number of people free access to these resources, so get in quick!

If you’ve been looking for something to use which isn’t Alpha but is aimed at the same sort of audience as Alpha, have a look at 321. It’s a new study series, made by an Australian Anglican priest in London who is making quite a splash as a speaker at the moment: Glen Scrivener. The course takes us through a basic introduction to Christianity in a way that encourages us to question and think, and always come back to Jesus. Best of all, it’s free!

Anne Gover has recently gifted her huge range of study notes to anyone who will find them useful. These are simple-to-use, informative and engaging studies which cover biblical characters, books, baptism and a host of other topics. If you are part of a small group (or would like to start one) these will make your preparation easy! Find them in a dropbox folder HERE.

Navigating a divided and complex world can be hard. We encounter this in our relationships, in our communities and in our wider systems and structures. Many of us long to make a difference, but often we don’t know how to respond or where to start. This is why Archbishop Justin Welby has brought together leading practitioners and thinkers to create Difference, equipping you to cross divides, navigate disagreement and pursue a just and flourishing world. Across five sessions, Difference teaches three habits that have the potential to transform everyday relationships. Talk with the Ministry Educator if you want to find out more.