I was very impressed by this year’s Baptist Gathering at Rangiora with the theme Hearing from the God Who Speaks.

Firstly, the folk at Rangiora did a superb job of hosting the conference and making everyone feel welcome (even down to the flowers and handcream in the ladies’ loos!)

Everyone went away with different impressions, as God does speak to each of us so differently. We also took away a memento in the shape of a memorial seed stone, painstakingly and lovingly painted by senior Rangiora pastor and artist Ivan Button.

For me the intimacy of this year’s Assembly spoke volumes – the real stories (often painful) so honestly shared by those in positions of leadership. I think this level of genuineness, especially from those in authority – generated a feeling of connectivity among everyone at The Gathering.

I hope you’ll enjoy/be moved/motivated/inspired by some of those (abridged for space) stories in this month’s magazine. If you haven’t been to a Baptist Gathering, do try to get to next year’s in Tauranga. We can report on what happened and who said what, but it’s not the same as being there and absorbing the atmosphere for yourself.

Meanwhile, Christmas is almost upon us and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers for their prayers, positive comments and input into the magazine over the past year. We wish you all a blessed Christmas – one in which the real reason for the season shines through.

Former United States President Calvin Coolidge once said: “Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Saviour and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”

Amen! Happy Christmas.

– Fran Pardon