Convergence Camp saw a fantastic turnout with over 200 members of our diocese gathering at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri over the weekend for fun and fellowship.
Simon and Jenny Gill from Wellington led the teaching, following a theme of “building capacity for more” – all about growing in love for Jesus, desire to follow him and courage to step out. Caleb from Stoke was both encouraged and challenged by Jenny and Simon, calling their messages “a word in season”.
“The analogy of treating Jesus like broccoli was what caught my attention,” said Simone from Tākaka. The idea was that we can sometimes treat Jesus like broccoli in the way that we think how much do I have to have, as opposed to something like roast potatoes – how much can I have?!
Rosalind from Blenheim loved “the reminder to ‘marinate’ in God's Word to allow its fullness to be known and grow the fire in our heart, home, church and region!”
The word “marinate” also stuck with Phillipa from Motueka: “It became a word that was used a lot among the group I was with. ‘So have you had time to marinate today? When do you think you're going to find time to marinate?’”
The worship was a common highlight among those I spoke with. A talented group of musicians brought together by St Barnabas in Stoke led beautiful, moving expressions of worship throughout the weekend.
“I always love Convergence,” said Brad from Brightwater.
It's a place where we can feel like a diocesan family. There's clergy, there are lay leaders, there are parishioners that have been there for decades and brand new parishioners. And it's just a great time to be able to connect, drink coffee, hang out, swim – all those kinds of good things together.
Our diocese covers an area over 93,000 square kilometres, so we have to work hard to connect as a body of believers. Everyone I spoke with after Convergence mentioned their appreciation for the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with others, and encourage each other. Spending the weekend at camp is “quite different from a Sunday morning,” said Caleb. “You’re doing life together. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Our own parish is pretty tiny and has a narrow age range,” Phillipa said. “To be able to worship as a big group has been fantastic. Over the years we've gotten to know a lot of people from other parishes. There were also four couples at camp who used to be part of our parish and are now in other parts of the diocese, and it was so good to catch up together.”
Rebecca from Blenheim emphasised how good it is “for the kids to see other young Christians who are really keen, to meet other kids that are wanting to seek God, and to see the church family is a bigger thing.”
Mike from Greymouth, who brought his six-year-old grandson, was heartened by the number of young people at camp, and their enthusiastic faith. “I think the youth are our future and they’re the ones that we need to strengthen.” He’s hoping to take three more grandsons with him next year.
Thank you to everyone involved in making camp happen, for your thoughtful preparation and generous mahi.
See you again next year!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Convergence Camp saw a fantastic turnout with over 200 members of our diocese gathering at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri over the weekend for fun and fellowship.
Simon and Jenny Gill from Wellington led the teaching, following a theme of “building capacity for more” – all about growing in love for Jesus, desire to follow him and courage to step out. Caleb from Stoke was both encouraged and challenged by Jenny and Simon, calling their messages “a word in season”.
“The analogy of treating Jesus like broccoli was what caught my attention,” said Simone from Tākaka. The idea was that we can sometimes treat Jesus like broccoli in the way that we think how much do I have to have, as opposed to something like roast potatoes – how much can I have?!
Rosalind from Blenheim loved “the reminder to ‘marinate’ in God's Word to allow its fullness to be known and grow the fire in our heart, home, church and region!”
The word “marinate” also stuck with Phillipa from Motueka: “It became a word that was used a lot among the group I was with. ‘So have you had time to marinate today? When do you think you're going to find time to marinate?’”
The worship was a common highlight among those I spoke with. A talented group of musicians brought together by St Barnabas in Stoke led beautiful, moving expressions of worship throughout the weekend.
“I always love Convergence,” said Brad from Brightwater.
It's a place where we can feel like a diocesan family. There's clergy, there are lay leaders, there are parishioners that have been there for decades and brand new parishioners. And it's just a great time to be able to connect, drink coffee, hang out, swim – all those kinds of good things together.
Our diocese covers an area over 93,000 square kilometres, so we have to work hard to connect as a body of believers. Everyone I spoke with after Convergence mentioned their appreciation for the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with others, and encourage each other. Spending the weekend at camp is “quite different from a Sunday morning,” said Caleb. “You’re doing life together. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Our own parish is pretty tiny and has a narrow age range,” Phillipa said. “To be able to worship as a big group has been fantastic. Over the years we've gotten to know a lot of people from other parishes. There were also four couples at camp who used to be part of our parish and are now in other parts of the diocese, and it was so good to catch up together.”
Rebecca from Blenheim emphasised how good it is “for the kids to see other young Christians who are really keen, to meet other kids that are wanting to seek God, and to see the church family is a bigger thing.”
Mike from Greymouth, who brought his six-year-old grandson, was heartened by the number of young people at camp, and their enthusiastic faith. “I think the youth are our future and they’re the ones that we need to strengthen.” He’s hoping to take three more grandsons with him next year.
Thank you to everyone involved in making camp happen, for your thoughtful preparation and generous mahi.
See you again next year!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
