Friday’s Easter Greetings

It is so good to encourage one another through this time, with the message of Easter. We now have room for more greetings, so if you haven’t yet sent yours in, we’d love to hear from you – here’s the link! 

Please keep scrolling, as today’s reflection follows …

 

 

Our photo was taken in January from the Snowdon viewpoint which we thought you would like to see.  
“We hope you are enjoying the message of Easter and receiving many blessings at this holy time. ” 
Beautiful Conwy is our home.
Lynn, Vince and Nicola Fox.

 

 

 

 

Reading the daily reflection …
“Happy Easter!”
from Trevor and Lynn Jones,
Conwy.

 

 

Easter greetings from Andy. “Happy to be back with all you lovely folk!”

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In God’s Whānau

We are delighted to welcome back Andy Butler, who has thankfully returned safe and sound this week, from her extended stay with her sister in New Zealand.

St. Faith’s Church, Rotorua, New Zealand

window depicting Jesus walking on the water

overlooking Lake Rotorua

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For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8: 14-17

Mae pawb sydd a’u bywydau’n cael eu rheoli gan Ysbryd Duw yn cael bod yn blant i Dduw.  Dydy’r Ysbryd Glân dŷn ni wedi’i dderbyn ddim yn ein gwneud yn gaethweision ofnus unwaith eto! Mae’n ein mabwysiadu ni yn blant i Dduw, a gallwn weiddi arno’n llawen, “ Abba! Dad!”  Ydy, mae’r Ysbryd yn dangos yn glir i ni ein bod ni’n blant i Dduw.  Ac os ydyn ni’n blant iddo, byddwn ninnau hefyd yn derbyn yr holl bethau da mae’n ei roi i’w Fab, y Meseia. Ond cofiwch wedyn, os ydyn ni’n cael rhannu yn ei ysblander mae’n rhaid i ni fod yn barod i ddioddef gydag e hefyd.

Rhufeiniaid 8: 14-17 

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The Maori people have a word for family – whānau (the W pronounced as f). This is a special word encompassing not only blood relatives but those to whom you have special links. My niece who is a teacher refers to her pupils as whānau and in the church that I attend the minister addresses us as whānau. The Maori people have a special regard for their ancestors so these are not forgotten and are very much whānau.
 
About 30 years ago I visited New Zealand for the first time with my husband David. As well as visiting family we did an amazing trip around the North Island including Rotorua, a strange geothermal area of activity of bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, hot spas and a strong smell of sulphur. We went to a Māori village for an evening of Māori culture including a hangi, a meal cooked in the hot thermal ground.
 
We were picked up in a mini bus and joined people from all over the globe. We were told we had to nominate a leader of our tribe as we firstly had to partake in a welcoming ceremony. A lively and fun loving Chinese man volunteered. I was hoping that I would keep a straight face when the tongue sticking out haki began. It turned out to be a very special moment in my life. As part of the ceremony we were asked to remember the ancestors from whom we came, and I did.
 
I looked up at the amazing southern starlit night sky, so beautiful, so amazing and I was both humbled and affirmed. What a truly amazing world our God created. I remembered my mum, she’d died a few years earlier and her heart was broken when my sister moved to New Zealand. I thought she’d be happy that I could visit the family here. I thought about my dad who accompanied my mum on trips here but never let on how very homesick he was when here. I thought about my family back home and prayed for their protection. I thought about my dear husband who would much prefer to holiday in Scotland but was a great travel companion. I thought about my childhood, grandparents and special family, and gave thanks.

In Christ we are all whānau – and we are a whānau community, right now! In these times of isolation we may feel lost, disconnected, afraid, but God our loving Father is in this with us. How wonderful that we have these meditations each day, and that although our places of worship are locked, we can still worship the Living God, share our greetings, thoughts, concerns and prayers. May God bless us as his family, His whānau, this day and forever more.

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Prayer

Father God, I wonder how I managed to exist
without the knowledge of your parenthood and your loving care.
But now I am your child, I am adopted in your family,
and I can never be alone,
’cause Father God, you’re there beside me.
I will sing your praises, I will sing your praises,
I will sing your praises, forever more.  Amen.

Gweddi
Nefol Dad ni allaf ddeall sut y medrais i fodoli
Am gyhyd heb wybod am dy gariad grymus di.
Ond nawr dy blentyn annwyl wyf,
derbynais Ysbryd y mabwysiad;
wnei di byth fy ngadael i,
can’s trigo ‘rwyt o fewn fy nghalon.
Fe’th addolaf Arglwydd, fe’th ganmolaf Arglwydd,
fe’th ddyrchafaf Arglwydd
Ti yw fy Nuw!
Fe’th gyffesaf Arglwydd, fe’th arddelaf Arglwydd,
fe’th ddilynaf di,
mawrygaf di’n ddibaid.

Ian Smale, Cyfieithiad: Susan Williams

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Click here for previous daily reflections from our Ministry Team.