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Morning Tea is available following worship. We have the final of our after-church discussions today over morning tea tables about the second of our focusing questions, You are very welcome to stay and participate or listen in. This week we consider: What might we have to let go of, in order to progress in renewed purpose, our hopes and dreams?

Prayer Pointers this week
1. We pray for ourselves: that the Lordship of Christ becomes a reality with practical implications for what we give our allegiance to.
2. We pray for our country, resisting the power of misinformation and manipulating of fear and ignorance surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi and its obligations to the tangata whenua.
3. We pray for our companion church, Napier North and its stated supply minister, Christo Viljoen.

Treaty Principles Bill Submissions. Can you contribute?
The Treaty Principles Bill Select Committee is receiving submissions up until 7 January and this is an opportunity to participate in our political processes around a matter that is both deeply relevant to our identity in this country and also as Christians. Since Christians shaped the text of the Treaty to reflect Gospel values as they understood them in their day and were instrumental in getting it signed, we are descendants in two senses of this partnership agreement between Maori and the Crown. Right now, the politicians sponsoring this bill are making claims that Treaty interpretation has not served us well and a new basis of being New Zealanders together is needed to remain united as a nation. However, what this bill says and the way it is being argued for misrepresents our history and commitments leading to unnecessary racialised fear-mongering, and a sense of betrayal for Maori. While the political voice to vote down this bill suggest it will not succeed, concerns at weaponising the Treaty, increasing social division and diminishing the special identity and rights of Maori for political gain, warrant being heard. After our communion service next week (1st December) there will be an opportunity to learn how to write your own short submission if you wish, expressing your own views respectfully.

NFC gifts. The tags for Napier Family Centre gifts are available. They will also be presented at our service on the 8th December. Swinburn House books. Please take some books with name tags inside and gift wrap. Please return before our Gift service on 8th December. November Repair Cafe The last Repair Cafe for 2024 will take place next Saturday 30th November at Asher Hall starting from 11.30am, going to 2.30pm.

Parish Lunch Group will meet at noon on Friday 6th December at “Faith Hope Love” Café opposite the ISite on Marine Parade.