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This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost which was the ultimate turning point in human history: the moment God moved from dwelling among His people to living inside them. From a biblical worldview, this event launched the global church and reversed the ancient curse of division.
To understand Pentecost, we have to look back at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). There, human pride resulted in fractured languages and scattered nations. At Pentecost (Acts 2), God used the diverse languages of the world to unite people under the Gospel. The sudden wind and tongues of fire signaled a new era. God did not erase cultural differences; He used them to declare that His kingdom belongs to every tribe, tongue, and nation. The timing of Pentecost was precise. It took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks, a festival thanking God for the first harvest. Just as farmers gathered the firstfruits of the earth, Pentecost marked the first major harvest of souls for the Christian Church—3,000 people were baptised in a single day. We have a few people in our congregation preparing for baptism and/or confirmation at this time. Please keep them in your prayers. Pray for them and all of us that the Power of the Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives, changing us from the inside out, and enabling us to boldly live and speak up for Christ. Pray the Holy Spirit will equip us all with unique gifts to serve others and share hope. And pray the Holy Spirit will continue to break down racial and social barriers to create unity within the world wide Church, and unite us as family in our Church at Mount Eliza. Pray we will trust the leading of the Holy Spirit today, and continue to change and grow more into the people and church He wants us to be; Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, equipped for ministry and mission, bold in our witness and united as family. May the Holy Spirit draw us closer together and further into the mission of God. God bless you, Reverend Tanya Cummings
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 I wonder, where do you see God's goodness in the world?
When I'm looking at an amazing view of the sunset, I'm often in awe and thinking, 'God is Good'. When I'm staring dwarfed at the mountain ranges of the Remarkables in New Zealand, and I feel small and God feels big, I think, 'God is Good'. When I'm seeing the sunrise over an Icelandic glacier, exploring the big ice caves, and staring out over the 'iceberg lagoon', I think, 'WOW - how good is God?! The bible tells us from beginning to end, that God reveals his goodness to us through his Creation. So - what do you like to see that makes you think, 'God is Good'? Where do you like to go or visit or experience to make you feel small and God feel BIG? When do you notice God's goodness? This Sunday we're going to explore God's goodness, some questions around perhaps doubting God's goodness, and reflect on what to do in response to God's goodness in our everyday lives. I look forward to seeing you then! Amy When we speak about God, our language often leans toward the familiar — “Father,” “Lord,” “King.” These titles carry deep meaning, yet they only capture part of the picture. Across scripture, tradition, and human experience, God is revealed not only as a strong and guiding Father but also as a tender and nurturing Mother.
This dual imagery isn’t about assigning God a gender — rather, it’s about recognizing that the divine nature transcends human categories. God embodies the fullness of love, protection, and care, expressed in both maternal and paternal ways. The Paternal images of God, such as Father, often evokes images of strength, guidance, and provision. Like a loving parent who teaches, disciplines, and protects, God calls us toward growth and maturity. In this role, God is the steady hand that leads us through uncertainty, the voice that calls us to courage, and the provider who ensures we have what we need to flourish. Equally present in scripture and spiritual reflection is the image of God as Mother — the one who comforts, nurtures, and holds us close. God is likened to a mother who will not forget her child, who gathers her people as a hen gathers her chicks, who labours to bring forth new life. This maternal imagery speaks to God’s deep compassion, patience, and willingness to embrace us in our most vulnerable moments. When we hold both the maternal and paternal aspects of God together, we see a more complete picture of divine love. God is not limited to one mode of care — God is both the protector and the comforter, the guide and the shelter, the one who challenges us to grow and the one who soothes us when we fall. This balance invites us to expand our own understanding of love and leadership. It reminds us that strength and tenderness are not opposites but partners, and that true care often requires both. Recognising God as both Mother and Father can transform the way we relate to the divine — and to each other. It encourages us to embrace the full spectrum of love in our own lives: to be firm when needed, gentle when called for, and always rooted in compassion. In the end, God’s love is not bound by our categories. It is vast enough to hold us, guide us, and carry us — like a parent who is both strong enough to protect and tender enough to heal. God bless you and especially bless all the mothers among us this Sunday. See you in Church. Rev Tanya |
